Dumbbell One-Arm Side-Lying Bench Press - How to Perform, Muscles, Variants | SatisFIT Skip to main content

Dumbbell One-Arm Side-Lying Bench Press

Step by step instructions, muscle activation and variants for the Dumbbell One-Arm Side-Lying Bench Press.

MediumMiddle chest

About this exercise

A unilateral chest press performed while lying on your side on a flat bench, using a single dumbbell. This uncommon angle targets the sternal fibers of the pectoralis major in a stretched position and challenges core stability to maintain the side-lying posture.

How to Perform

  • Lie on your side on a flat bench with your body fully supported
  • Hold a dumbbell in the top hand with your elbow bent and upper arm roughly parallel to the floor
  • Keep your lower arm across your body for balance
  • Press the dumbbell upward and slightly forward until your elbow is fully extended
  • Pause briefly at the top, squeezing your chest
  • Lower the dumbbell back down with control to the starting position
  • Complete all reps on one side before switching

Muscle Activation

Primary
Middle chest
Secondary
TricepsFront shouldersLower chest

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes content is coming soon.

About the Dumbbell One-Arm Side-Lying Bench Press

The Dumbbell One-Arm Side-Lying Bench 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.