Chest
The main area this variation is designed to train.
Exercise guide
One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press
Learn how to do the One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press exercise, which muscles it works, the equipment you need, and common mistakes to avoid.
Dumbbell
Use this to decide whether the movement fits your current setup.
Beginner
A quick checkpoint for how simple or technical the movement usually feels.
Chest
Secondary support can come from Shoulders, Arms.
Strength
Movement pattern: press. This is a compound exercise.
Learning and repeating well
Use this page to understand the setup first, then track the movement consistently in Logbook once it fits your program.
Instructions
How to do One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press
Keep the setup simple, use a controlled pace, and repeat the same movement pattern each rep.
- 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.
Benefits
- Builds strength and control through the chest region.
- Trains multiple joints at once, which can make your sessions more efficient.
- Gives you a repeatable way to track progress inside Logbook over time.
Common mistakes
- Using more weight or speed than you can control cleanly.
- Letting momentum do the work instead of controlling the full rep.
- Changing your body position between reps instead of keeping the movement repeatable.
Related workouts
Workout templates that use this exercise.
If you want to see this movement inside a more complete training session, start here.
3-Day Full Body Split
A three-day split that spreads total weekly work across three full-body sessions.
View workout30-Minute Fat Loss Workout
A shorter full-body session designed to keep you moving and make consistency easier on busy days.
View workout4-Day Upper Lower Split
A simple four-day split that gives each half of the body two quality sessions each week.
View workout5-Day Bodybuilding Split
A traditional five-day bodybuilding split for lifters who enjoy focusing on one or two regions per session.
View workoutRelated exercises
More exercises in the same lane.
Use these when you want a similar movement pattern, a different setup, or more exercise options for the same target area.
Decline Dumbbell Bench Press
Decline Dumbbell Bench Press is a beginner strength that mainly trains your chest using dumbbell.
View exerciseDumbbell Bench Press
Dumbbell Bench Press is a beginner strength that mainly trains your chest using dumbbell.
View exerciseDumbbell Bench Press with Neutral Grip
Dumbbell Bench Press with Neutral Grip is a beginner strength that mainly trains your chest using dumbbell.
View exerciseHammer Grip Incline DB Bench Press
Hammer Grip Incline DB Bench Press is a beginner strength that mainly trains your chest using dumbbell.
View exerciseFAQ
Common questions about One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press.
Use these answers as a practical starting point, then adjust based on your setup, comfort, and goals.
What muscles does One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press work?
One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press mainly works the chest. It can also involve shoulders, arms depending on your setup and range of motion.
Is One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press beginner-friendly?
Yes. This exercise is listed as beginner-friendly, which usually means the setup and learning curve are more manageable.
What equipment do I need for One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press?
You will usually need Dumbbell for this variation.
How should I progress One Arm Dumbbell Bench Press?
Start by making the reps smoother and more repeatable. Once the whole set looks controlled, add a small amount of load or one extra rep at a time.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
Once the movement is in your plan, use Logbook to record sets, reps, load, and progress without guessing what happened last week.
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