Shoulder Press

  • Targeted Muscles:
    • Shoulders (anterior and middle deltoids)
    • Upper back (upper trapezius)
  • Additional Muscles:
    • Triceps
  • The dumbbell shoulder press, also called the overhead press or military press works your shoulders and upper back as well as your triceps. This is a good exercise for building strong wide shoulders. Strengthening the shoulders helps make overhead pushing or lifting movements easier.
  • The dumbbell shoulder press, also called the overhead press or military press works your shoulders and upper back as well as your triceps. This is a good exercise for building strong wide shoulders. Strenghening the shoulders helps make overhead pushing or lifting movements easier.
  • If you have neck, shoulder, lowerback and elbow problems, you should be careful when performing this exercise. You can perform dumbbell shoulder presses while sitting or standing. If you choose to sit, use a bemch with back support.
  • Supporting your back helps you avoid using your lower back during the exercise so you must do most of the work with your shoulder muscles. When you raise the dumbbells, press your arms straight up over your head but do not lock your elbows.
  • Keep your head and neck straight, your abdominal muscles tight and your back erect. If you find that you need to arch your back excessively to lift the dumbbells, consider using lighter weights.
  • Do not arch your back or wiggle your body to help you lift the dumbbells. Keep your back flat against the pad
  • Do not lock your elbows or allow the dumbbell to sway back and forth.
  • Do not lower the dumbbells below the starting position.