Home/Men's Program/Shoulders Traps/Arnold Press (Dumbbell)

Arnold Press (Dumbbell)

Execution Guide

  1. Sit or stand with dumbbells held in front of you at shoulder height, palms facing you.
  2. As you press the dumbbells up, simultaneously rotate your palms to face forward.
  3. Continue pressing until your arms are fully extended overhead.
  4. Reverse the motion — lower the dumbbells while rotating your palms back to face you.
  5. Return to the starting position with palms facing you at shoulder height.

Range of Motion

Palms facing you at shoulder height to palms forward at full lockout overhead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ×Not rotating the wrists fully through the movement
  • ×Arching the lower back excessively
  • ×Rushing the rotation instead of using a smooth, controlled arc

Prescription

3Sets
10-15Reps
Rest interval48-72 hours

Goal

Hit all three deltoid heads in a single compound movement

Difficulty

Intermediate

Burn (10m)

40-60

Equipment

Dumbbells

Anatomy

Primary
Anterior DeltoidsMedial Deltoids
Secondary
TricepsRear Deltoids