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Exercise library

Dumbbell Bench Press

Chest · Horizontal push

Generic horizontal push demo. Follow the steps below for this exact exercise.

Horizontal pushCompound

A flat bench press with dumbbells, which allows a natural path and a deeper stretch than a barbell.

Difficulty
Easy
Tracking
Measured in reps

Muscles worked

ChestTricepsShoulders

Equipment

BenchDumbbell

How to do it

  1. Lie on a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand at chest height and your palms facing forward.
  2. Plant your feet and pull your shoulder blades back and down against the bench.
  3. Press the dumbbells up until your arms are straight over your chest.
  4. Lower under control until your upper arms are roughly level with your torso.

Coaching cues

  • Keep your elbows about 45 degrees from your ribs rather than flared straight out.
  • Stop a rep or two short of failure when you are pressing without a spotter.