Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Press

Setup

1. 01Set an incline bench between 60 and 80 degrees and sit with the back fully supported.
2. 02Bring the dumbbells to shoulder height with palms facing forward.
3. 03Plant the feet, brace the trunk, and tuck the ribs down.

Execution

1. 01Press both dumbbells up and slightly back until the arms are extended overhead.
2. 02Keep the wrists stacked over the elbows through the whole path.
3. 03Lower with control until the dumbbells return to shoulder height.
4. 04Repeat without bouncing out of the bottom position.

Checkpoints

• -Lower back stays against the pad, not arched off it.
• -Dumbbells finish over the shoulder joint, not out in front.
• -Elbows travel under the wrists on the way down.
• -Head stays neutral against or near the pad.

Common mistakes

• -Arching hard off the bench and turning it into an incline chest press.
• -Flaring the elbows and letting the dumbbells drift apart at the top.
• -Cutting depth well above shoulder height.
• -Pressing unevenly because one side starts before the other.