Cart

Standing Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Overview

The dumbbell shoulder press, sometimes called a military press, is done here with a staggered stance. This is a great exercise for your shoulder, working the deltoid, as well as your triceps.

Your deltoid muscle starts at the front in the crook of your armpit, wrapping over your shoulder to the back of your armpit, and down your arm to just above your bicep, forming a triangle, or delta, shape. Triceps are the muscle on the back of your upper arm, extending from your armpit to your elbow. It’s the muscle that allows you to straighten your arm.

Instructions

  1. To begin, step one foot forward, bending slightly at the knees. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart for balance.

  2. Lift your dumbbells up, turning your palms forward. Your upper arms should be parallel to the ground, and your elbows at a 90 degree angle. This is your starting position.

  3. Lift the dumbbells up over your head, then back down to your starting position. Be sure to keep your abs tight to maintain your balance.

  4. Exhale as you’re pushing up against gravity; inhale as you return to starting position.

Tips

If you start to feel unstable, don’t push yourself. Switch to a lower weight.

I recommend three sets of twelve reps for this exercise.

This is a wonderful exercise not just for your shoulders and arms, but the balance also warms up your core. Keep that in mind when you’re planning your exercise routine for the day. Thanks for watching!

More shoulder exercises

All shoulder exercises