Standing Dumbbell Shoulder Press: Does your lower back arch as you press?
Brace your abs to keep your torso still as you press up. Do not arch your lower back as you press.
How to fix it
- Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand beside your shoulders.
- Brace your abs and press the dumbbells overhead.
- Slowly lower the dumbbells to the sides of your shoulders.
The app sets the reps for your next set
(For exercises you added to your routine yourself) For example, if you are a beginner and completed all 3 sets of 9 reps with a 10kg dumbbell in each hand as planned in your last workout, the app keeps the weight the same and increases your reps to 10. When you log your sets, GYMKC reads your last set and recalculates the weight and reps for your next set.
Get GYMKC on the App StoreHow far apart should your feet be?
Sources differ slightly. Some suggest standing with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Others suggest hip-width apart. Either way, keep your torso still without swaying as you press.
See this exercise in detail
More on the same body part
Sources
- NSCA, Basics of Strength and Conditioning
- NSCA, TSAC Module 3.0-3.3 · Seated Barbell Shoulder Press
- Abdelraouf OR et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine (2026)
- Soriano MA et al., Sports Medicine (2019)
- ACE, Book Review: Strength Training for Fat Loss
- ACE, Exercise Library · Seated Overhead Press
- ExRx.net, Dumbbell Shoulder Press
This article is based on our analysis of public content from evidence-based training experts in Korea and abroad. It is not a substitute for medical advice.