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Exercise guide

Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press

How to do the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundDumbbellBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Shoulders

Secondary

Triceps

Equipment

Dumbbell

Step by step

How to do the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press

  1. 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. 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. 3

    After a brief pause, return the weight to the starting position.

  4. 4

    Repeat for the opposite side, continuing to alternate between arms.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your shoulders volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press fits

The Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More shoulders exercises

FAQ

Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press: common questions

What muscles does the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press work?

The Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press primarily works the Shoulders. It also recruits the Triceps as supporting muscles.

Is the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press?

To do the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press you'll need a dumbbell.

Is the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press a compound or isolation exercise?

The Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Standing Alternating Dumbbell Press with correct form?

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. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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