Chest · Dumbbells

Single-Arm Dumbbell Floor Press

Primary muscle group: Chest. Secondary muscles: triceps, front deltoids, core.

How to do the Single-Arm Dumbbell Floor Press

  1. Lie on the floor with your knees bent and one dumbbell above your chest.
  2. Lower until your upper arm touches the floor gently, keeping both shoulders down.
  3. Press up while keeping your trunk from rolling toward the weight.

Common mistakes

  • Rotating your torso to get the dumbbell moving.
  • Rebounding your upper arm off the floor.

Suggested sets and reps

Use these ranges as a starting point. Your plan sets the volume based on your goal and experience.

Training goalSetsReps per set
Muscle building3–48–12
Strength3–45–8
Muscular endurance2–312–18

Alternative exercises

Frequently asked questions

What muscles does the Single-Arm Dumbbell Floor Press work?

Primary muscle group: Chest. Secondary muscles: triceps, front deltoids, core.

How many reps should I do for the Single-Arm Dumbbell Floor Press?

Muscle building: 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps. Strength: 3–4 sets of 5–8 reps. Muscular endurance: 2–3 sets of 12–18 reps.

What can I do instead of the Single-Arm Dumbbell Floor Press?

Compare the setup and equipment for these alternatives: Dumbbell Floor Press, Barbell Bench Press, Machine Chest Press.