Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press — start position
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Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press — end position
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Shoulders / Beginner / Compound (multi-joint)

Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press

A dumbbell exercise for the front delts, with the triceps assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Front delts
Secondary
Triceps
Equipment
Dumbbells
Movement pattern
Overhead push
Level
Beginner
Type
Shoulders, Compound (multi-joint), One side at a time

How to do it

  1. Stand with a dumbbell in each hand. Raise the dumbbells to your shoulders with your palms facing forward and your elbows pointed out. This will be your starting position.
  2. Extend one arm to press the dumbbell straight up, keeping your off hand in place. Do not lean or jerk the weight during the movement.
  3. After a brief pause, return the weight to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the opposite side, continuing to alternate between arms.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts — primary (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps — secondary (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Front delts
  • Secondary: Triceps

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.