Dumbbell Face-Down Lying Shoulder Press - How to Perform, Muscles, Variants | SatisFIT Skip to main content

Dumbbell Face-Down Lying Shoulder Press

Step by step instructions, muscle activation and variants for the Dumbbell Face-Down Lying Shoulder Press.

MediumFront shoulders

About this exercise

A prone shoulder exercise performed lying face down on a bench, pressing dumbbells outward and upward to isolate the rear deltoids and upper back while eliminating momentum and body sway. The face-down position removes the ability to cheat, making it a strict and targeted rear-delt movement.

How to Perform

  • Set a bench to flat or a very low incline and lie face down with your chest on the pad
  • Let the dumbbells hang straight down below the bench at arm's length, palms facing each other
  • With a slight bend in your elbows, raise the dumbbells out to the sides by squeezing your rear delts and upper back
  • Lift until your arms are roughly parallel to the floor
  • Hold briefly at the top, then lower the dumbbells slowly back to the starting position

Muscle Activation

Primary
Front shoulders
Secondary
TricepsUpper chest

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes content is coming soon.

About the Dumbbell Face-Down Lying Shoulder Press

The Dumbbell Face-Down Lying Shoulder Press is a foundational movement that builds strength and muscle through controlled, progressive overload. Train it 1 to 2 times per week with 3 to 5 working sets per session, gradually adding weight or reps as form holds up.