Log Lift

A shoulders exercise targeting the shoulders.

Log Lift demonstration
Log Lift — demonstration

Body part

Shoulders

Equipment

Other

Target muscles

Shoulders

Secondary muscles

Abdominals, Chest, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Middle Back, Quadriceps, Traps, Triceps

How to do Log Lift

  1. Begin standing with the log in front of you. Grasp the handles, and begin to clean the log. As you are bent over to start the clean, attempt to get the log as high as possible, pulling it into your chest. Extend through the hips and knees to bring it up to complete the clean.

  2. Push your head back and look up, creating a shelf on your chest to rest the log. Begin the press by dipping, flexing slightly through the knees and reversing the motion. This push press will generate momentum to start the log moving vertically. Continue by extending through the elbows to press the log above your head. There are no strict rules on form, so use whatever techniques you are most efficient with. As the log is pressed, ensure that you push your head through on each repetition, looking forward.

  3. Repeat as many times as possible. Attempt to control the descent of the log as it is returned to the ground.

Muscles worked

Primary (target)

Shoulders

Secondary

AbdominalsChestGlutesHamstringsLower BackMiddle BackQuadricepsTrapsTriceps

Related exercises

All shoulders exercises →

Track Log Lift in NutriMind

Log your sets and the app does the rest — automatic PR detection, progression charts for every lift, and progressive overload that adjusts your next workout. Paired with AI nutrition coaching so your training and your plate pull in the same direction.

Planning your next heavy session? Estimate your max with the One Rep Max Calculator and build up to it with the Warm-up Calculator. More free tools →