We asked Tom's Guide readers for their favorite 'old school' weightlifting exercise, and this is what came out on top

I'm loving the polls at Tom's Guide at the moment because your feedback on what you do and don't like helps me know, as an editor, what I should be writing more or less of.One poll, featured below, asked: "What's your favorite 'old school' weightlifting exercise?" Here's what you said, and why I'm sort of inclined to agree with you. Have your say below and vote for yours!What's your favorite "old school" weightlifting exercise?Here's the results of the top three:1st place: 32%, Arnold press2nd place: 23%, Pullover3rd place: 15%, Bulgarian split squatPersonally, Bulgarian split squats would top my list, but I do love the Arnold press as a personal trainer, and here's why.The benefits of the Arnold pressThe Arnold press is a variation of the traditional dumbbell overhead press made famous by the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger.The press variation effectively targets all three shoulder heads — anterior deltoids (front), lateral delts (sides), posterior delts (rear) to build strength and muscle in your shoulders. To do it, you perform an overhead press while turning your palms as you press upward, then lower them back down. This maximizes muscular engagement and time under tension.That said, it's not for everyone. If you have pre-existing shoulder injuries, exercise caution, as this exercise may further discomfort. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before attempting new exercises that you're unsure about.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.The press variation effectively targets all three shoulder heads — anterior deltoids (front), lateral delts (sides), posterior delts (rear) to build strength and muscle in your shoulders. Not only does this build more well-rounded shoulders, but it can also translate to other shoulder-based exercises, especially overhead lifts. This also allows you to train the lateral and posterior deltoids in one go, which are often neglected during lifts like the bench press and push-ups, which feature heavily in upper-body workouts.Your core should always be active when lifting weights and exercising in general. That said, the standing Arnold press works the core muscles and improves trunk engagement, as your torso stabilizes your body and improves posture.You could also perform this exercise seated or kneeling, which will remove any chance of your lower body assisting the movement. For some people, seated variations help align the spine and provide extra support for the back. Personally, I find I can't lift as much weight, and seated or kneeling variations feel a lot harder on my shoulders and core.Bottom lineYou've had your say: the Arnold press gets the nod this time around. It builds strength and muscle in your shoulders and is time-effective for targeting all three deltoid heads in one move. You can progressively overload the exercise as you get stronger, and it's a time-efficient way to build your upper body as part of a wider upper-body strength routine.Why not add it to your next push and pull day?Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Alternatively, you can read our content on the Tom's Guide app available now for iOS and Android. More from Tom's GuideYou’re spending too much on gym memberships — why this $11 dumbbell is all you actually needI walked 4,500 steps with the Fitbit Air vs Apple Watch SE 3 — and I'm surprised by the winnerI’ve tested over 100 fitness trackers head-to-head — 3 workout stats I trust the least Sam Hopes is a level 3 qualified trainer, a level 2 Reiki practitioner and fitness editor at Tom's Guide. She is also currently undertaking her Yoga For Athletes training course. Sam has written for various fitness brands and websites over the years and has experience across brands at Future, such as Live Science, Fit&Well, Coach, and T3. Having coached at fitness studios like F45 and Virgin Active and taken on both 1:1 and group, Sam now primarily teaches outdoor bootcamps, bodyweight, and kettlebells. She also coaches mobility and flexibility classes several times a week. Sam has completed two mixed doubles Hyrox competitions in London and the Netherlands and finished her first doubles attempt in 1:11.