Pushcompound

DUMBBELL PRESS

Spartan Standard — 300WOD helmet mark

Horizontal dumbbell press. Greater range of motion than the barbell bench press. Accessible without a rack.

OFFICIAL 300WOD TUTORIAL

300WOD helmet mark

Official 300WOD Tutorial

Coming Soon

300WOD on YouTube

HOW TO PERFORM

  1. 1

    Lie on a bench holding dumbbells at chest height, palms facing forward.

  2. 2

    Press the dumbbells up and slightly together to full lockout.

  3. 3

    Lower under control to chest height — elbows at roughly 45 degrees.

  4. 4

    Maintain a slight arch in the lower back, feet flat on the floor.

THE STANDARD

Full range of motion — dumbbells lowered to chest height each rep. Full lockout at the top.

COACHING CUES

Full range of motionControl the descentPress to full lockout

COMMON MISTAKES

  • Partial range of motion — lower the dumbbells fully.

  • Elbows flaring excessively — keep them at roughly 45 degrees.

  • Uncontrolled descent — lower the dumbbells under control.

SCALING / SUBSTITUTIONS

  • Reduce dumbbell weight.

  • Push-up as a bodyweight alternative.

  • Incline or flat bench — use whichever is available.

300WOD APPLICATION

The dumbbell press is a primary push movement at Hoplite Standard and a common substitution when a barbell rack is unavailable.

MOVEMENT DETAILS

Movement Category
Push
Movement Type
compound
Equipment
DumbbellBench
Primary Muscles
ChestTricepsAnterior Deltoids
Secondary Muscles
Side Deltoids
Standards
Foundation
Hoplite
Elite
Spartan