Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Dumbbell Shoulder Press Information

 

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Exercise Data

Type: Strength
Main Muscle Worked: Shoulders
Other Muscles: Triceps
Equipment: Dumbbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
Level: Intermediate
Sport: No
Force: Push
Your Rating: 


8.4

Out of 10

Excellent







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Dumbbell Shoulder Press Images

Dumbbell Shoulder Press
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Dumbbell Shoulder Press
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Dumbbell Shoulder Press Guide

Main Muscle: Shoulders

  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.

Variations: You can perform the exercise standing or sitting on a regular flat bench. For people with lower back problems, the version described is the recommended one.

You can also perform the exercise as Arnold Schwarzenegger used to do it, which is to start holding the dumbbells with a supinated grip (palms facing you) in front of your shoulders and then, as you start pushing up, you align the dumbbells in the starting position described on step 3 by rotating your wrists and touch the dumbbells at the top. As you come down, then you would go back to the starting position by rotating the wrist throughout the lowering portion until the palms of your hands are facing you. This variation is called the Arnold Press. However, it is not recommended if you have rotator cuff problems.



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Review: Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Exercise Rating
10/10

Nov 11, 2009 6:28 AM: Great workout for the shoulders, you can really feel the contraction of your muscles after the first few reps



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