Exercise

One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press

Also known as: single arm db bench press, 1 arm db bench press, single dumbbell bench press

One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press — position 2

One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press is a compound exercise for the chest. Main target: middle chest. Also works: anterior deltoid and triceps lateral head. Equipment: dumbbell.

EquipmentDumbbell

TypeCompound (multi-joint)

MovementPush

CategoryStrength

Muscles worked

Primary

Middle chest

Secondary

Anterior deltoid Triceps lateral head

How to do it

Lie down on a flat bench with a dumbbell in one hand on top of your thigh.
By using your thigh to help you get the dumbbell up, clean the dumbbell up so that you can hold it in front of you at shoulder width. Use the hand you are not lifting with to help position the dumbbell over you properly.
Once at shoulder width, rotate your wrist forward so that the palm of your hand is facing away from you. This will be your starting position.
Bring down the weights slowly to your side as you breathe in. Keep full control of the dumbbell at all times. Tip: Use the hand that you are not lifting with to help keep the dumbbell balance as you may struggle a bit at first. Only use your non-lifting hand if it is needed. Otherwise, keep it resting to the side.
As you breathe out, push the dumbbells up using your pectoral muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, squeeze your chest, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions of your training program.
Switch arms and repeat the movement.