Dumbbell Bench Press 10s · no sound

Dumbbell Bench Press

The dumbbell version of the classic bench press — a deeper-range chest builder with friendlier shoulders than a barbell.

Primary muscle
Chest
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Movement
Push
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How to do it

  1. Sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell on each thigh, then lie back as you kick the weights up to your chest.
  2. Plant your feet flat on the floor and pull your shoulder blades back and down into the bench.
  3. Press the dumbbells up until your arms are fully extended, with the weights stacked over your shoulders.
  4. Lower the dumbbells slowly to chest level with the elbows tracked at about 45 to 60 degrees.
  5. Pause briefly when the dumbbells reach the side of your chest, keeping full upper-back tension.
  6. Press the dumbbells back up explosively by driving through the chest and triceps to the top.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the elbows flare wide to 90 degrees, which strains the front shoulders and weakens the chest drive.
  • Pressing the dumbbells together at the top so they clack — wasted range and no extra chest work.
  • Losing the upper-back squeeze mid-set, causing the shoulders to roll forward under load.
  • Cutting the range short and pressing only the top half, missing the deepest stretch on the chest.

Muscles worked

Primary
Chest
Secondary
Triceps

Good to know

What muscles does the Dumbbell Bench Press work?
Mainly the chest. It also works the triceps.
What equipment do you need for the Dumbbell Bench Press?
It uses dumbbells. Without it, the Bodyweight Knee Push Ups and the Cable Bench Press train the same muscles the same way.
Is the Dumbbell Bench Press good for beginners?
GymVim rates it beginner.

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