Dumbbell Shoulder Press
- Primary musclesShoulders
- EquipmentDumbbell
- LevelIntermediate
- ForcePush
AtletIQ — a workout log: working weight, sets and reps for your goal and level.
Calculate your weight in the app-
01Starting position -
02Final position
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01Starting position -
02Final position
What weight to use
Set your goal and fitness level — the AtletIQ app calculates the working weight and number of reps for "Dumbbell Shoulder Press".
- Working weight for your goal and fitness level
- Sets, reps and rest in your workout log
- Progress for every exercise
| Workout | Weight | Sets × reps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35.5 kg | 3 × 10 |
| 2 | 40 kg | 3 × 8 |
| 3 | 33 kg | 4 × 12 |
How to do it
6 stepsWhile 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.
Now raise the dumbbells to shoulder height one at a time using your thighs to help propel them up into position.
Make sure to rotate your wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward. This is your starting position.
Now, exhale and push the dumbbells upward until they touch at the top.
Then, after a brief pause at the top contracted position, slowly lower the weights back down to the starting position while inhaling.
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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AtletIQ app
A workout log with working weight calculation: program, sets and progress on your phone.