Holding a dumbbell in each hand, sit on a bench or chair and place the dumbbells on your knees.
Kick the dumbbells up with your knees, one at a time, and position them in front of your shoulders, with your elbows tucked into your body. Your elbows should be directly below your wrists and your palms should be facing each other (i.e. neutral or parallel grip).
Execution
Exhale as you press the dumbbells upward, over your head, until your arms are almost fully extended.
Inhale as you lower the dumbbells to the starting position.
Repeat.
Comments and tips
Keep your back and neck neutral.
Do not lock out your elbows.
By keeping your elbows tucked into your body, you put less pressure on the shoulder joints, making this variation of the overhead press more suitable for those who suffer from shoulder pain. You also emphasize the use of your anterior deltoid and upper pectoralis major, and reduce the contribution of your lateral deltoid.
The seated position prevents cheating by ensuring that your body is kept still.
