Shoulders · Dumbbell

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

A compound movement that trains your shoulders, done with a dumbbell. Your triceps help out.

Dumbbell Shoulder Press, starting positionDumbbell Shoulder Press, end position

Muscles you'll work

Dumbbell Shoulder Press muscles worked, front viewDumbbell Shoulder Press muscles worked, back view
ShouldersPrimaryTricepsSecondary

How to do it

  1. While holding a dumbbell in each hand, sit on a military press bench or utility bench that has back support. Place the dumbbells upright on top of your thighs.
  2. Now raise the dumbbells to shoulder height one at a time using your thighs to help propel them up into position.
  3. Make sure to rotate your wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward. This is your starting position.
  4. Now, exhale and push the dumbbells upward until they touch at the top.
  5. Then, after a brief pause at the top contracted position, slowly lower the weights back down to the starting position while inhaling.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

More shoulder exercises

Seated Dumbbell PressStanding Dumbbell PressArnold Press (Dumbbell)Front Dumbbell Raise
EquipmentDumbbell
TypeCompound
Push or pullPush
LevelIntermediate

Log this lift and watch it climb

Every set you log gets checked against your history, so you know the moment you beat your best. Next session, you'll already know what to aim for.

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