Exercises · shoulders

Dumbbell Arnold Press

A seated dumbbell shoulder press that rotates from palms-in at the bottom to palms-forward overhead.

shouldersdeltsdumbbellintermediatecompound

Secondary muscles

tricepsupper chest

How to do it

  1. Sit tall on a bench with back support and plant your feet on the floor.
  2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand in front of your shoulders with palms facing you and elbows bent.
  3. Brace your midline and press the dumbbells upward while rotating your palms outward.
  4. Finish overhead with arms straight and palms facing forward.
  5. Lower the dumbbells under control while rotating your palms back toward you.
  6. Return to the start with dumbbells in front of your shoulders and repeat.

Form cues

  • Press and rotate smoothly
  • Keep ribs down
  • Wrists stacked over elbows
  • Finish biceps by ears

Common mistakes

  • Arching the lower back as the dumbbells go overhead
  • Letting the elbows flare straight out at the bottom
  • Pressing the dumbbells up without rotating the hands
  • Lowering the dumbbells too fast and losing control

Breathing

Inhale at the bottom, exhale as you press and rotate overhead, then inhale as you lower back down.

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