Exercise:

Flat Dumbbell Press

Target Muscle:

Chest (Mid/Lower)

Flat Bench, Dumbbells

Sit down on a flat bench with a pair of dumbbells resting on your thighs. Kick the dumbbells back using your knees and rock yourself down onto the bench.

The dumbbells should be even with your chest at the start of the movement with your palms facing away and forearms/upper arms forming a 90 degree angle.

With your feet, butt and shoulders firmly planted, press the weights up toward the ceiling in an arching motion until your arms are fully extended above you.

Lower the dumbbells back down until they are in line with your chest, and repeat.

- Rather than flaring your arms out at a 90 degree angle to your body, keep them slightly tucked in towards your sides. This will reduce stress on the shoulder joints.

- Keep your shoulder blades slightly retracted throughout the exercise as this will further reduce shoulder stress and increase pec activation.

- If it feels more comfortable on your shoulder joints, you can stop an inch or two short of your chest rather than lowering the dumbbells all the way down.