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The Reverse Arnold Press
The Arnold press is often regarded as the ultimate shoulder-building exercise. “The rotational action works all three heads of the deltoid—front, side, and rear,” says Men’s Health Fitness Director BJ Gaddour, C.S.C.S. But even exercises named after bodybuilding legends come with some room for improvement. By pressing the dumbbells up with a neutral grip and then lowering them with an overhand […]

by Men's Health

September 8, 2016

The Arnold press is often regarded as the ultimate shoulder-building exercise.

“The rotational action works all three heads of the deltoid—front, side, and rear,” says Men’s Health Fitness Director BJ Gaddour, C.S.C.S.

But even exercises named after bodybuilding legends come with some room for improvement.

By pressing the dumbbells up with a neutral grip and then lowering them with an overhand grip—rather than pressing upwards with an underhand grip and flipping your wrists for the descent—you create a stronger, safer position for your shoulders, says Gaddour, who demonstrates the reverse shoulder press in the video above.

Go with lighter weights and higher reps initially to get a feel for the movement before picking up heavier dumbbells.