Fit Fit City

Pushing: chest, shoulders and triceps

Dumbbell shoulder press

Muscles worked: Shoulders · triceps · trunk

Dumbbell shoulder press: illustration of the start (left) and finish (right) positions.
Start (left) and finish (right). Illustration: Fit Fit City.

How to do it

  1. Set up. Sit tall on a stable bench and brace your trunk. Start with the dumbbells at shoulder height, keeping wrists stacked over elbows.
  2. Move. Press the dumbbells upwards through a comfortable range. Keep your ribs controlled rather than arching your lower back.
  3. Finish. Lower the weights slowly back to shoulder level. Keep the movement smooth and avoid shrugging your shoulders towards your ears.

Common mistakes

Where it appears in the member plans

Beginner Reset, 12-Week Home Plan: Dumbbells or Band, Cardio & HIIT, Sports Fitness.

Log it, and beat it next time

In the member area every exercise has these cues next to your workout log, with last time’s numbers and a suggested target. £9.99 a month on a 12-month plan, or £79 a year, all taxes included.

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