The standing shoulder press with dumbbells exercise is a multi-joint movement that targets your shoulder muscles. Although the shoulder press is often done in a seated position, the standing version involves more of your core muscles. Using dumbbells instead of a barbell increases range of motion and forces each arm to work independently.
Execution
The standing shoulder press with dumbbells exercise can be done unilaterally, meaning one arm at a time, or bilaterally, meaning both arms together. The dumbbells start at shoulder level with your palms facing forward. Press one arm or both dumbbells overhead, bringing the weights together until they almost touch overhead. If you do the one-arm version, you can alternate arms or do all the repetitions for one arm and then switch sides.
Function
Shoulder press exercises target the deltoid or shoulder muscles, specifically the anterior or front deltoid and the lateral or side deltoid. Unlike other common shoulder exercises, such as side raises and front raises, the shoulder press exercise is a compound movement that works more than one muscle group. Your triceps, traps and upper chest are also involved in the standing shoulder press exercise. Because you are standing, your core muscles also engage to stabilize your trunk as you press the weight overhead.
Benefits
Dumbbells extend the range of motion of the shoulder press. A barbell locks you into one grip so your hands cannot come together at the top of the movement. Dumbbells also force each arm to work independently. Most lifters have a dominant side, which often overcompensates for the weaker side when you work both arms together. This can leave the weaker side constantly trailing in strength since it fails to do its share of the work. Using dumbbells forces the weaker arm to press the entire weight.
Variations
Dumbbells allow you to change your grip and add twists to the shoulder press exercise. You can do the standing shoulder dumbbell press with either a reverse grip, where your palms face you, or a neutral grip, where your palms face each other. You can also add twists to the movement. Start with your palms facing forward and then twist the dumbbells as you press up so your palms face each other at the top of the movement. Although these are small changes, they add variety to your routine and give the exercise a new feel.
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