Dumbbell Step-Up

Setup

1. 01Stand facing a knee-high box or bench.
2. 02Hold a dumbbell in each hand at the sides.
3. 03Place one full foot on the platform.
4. 04Square the hips toward the box.

Execution

1. 01Drive through the top foot to stand up.
2. 02Bring the trailing foot up beside it.
3. 03Step back down slowly with the trailing leg first.
4. 04Finish all reps, then switch legs.

Checkpoints

• -The top leg does the work; the bottom leg barely pushes.
• -The knee tracks over the toes, not inward.
• -The torso stays tall with a slight forward lean.
• -The descent is controlled, not a drop.

Common mistakes

• -Bouncing off the bottom leg to launch each rep.
• -Using a box so high the hips twist to climb.
• -Letting the working knee cave inward.
• -Crashing down instead of lowering under control.