Vertical Push

Arnold Press

A practical movement guide for every Mission SOP that uses this exercise. Sets, reps, load, tempo, and purpose remain specific to each mission and phase.

Movement guide available

Anatomy map

Muscles involved

Primary Supporting
Option 2 custom anatomy illustration for Arnold Press, with primary and supporting muscles highlighted
PrimaryDeltoids
SupportingRotator cuffTrapeziusTriceps brachii

ShaOS custom anatomy illustration. Visual reference only; movement coaching and muscle classifications remain defined by the Exercise Library.

Description

A rotating dumbbell press that trains the shoulders through a long, controlled path while challenging coordination and stability.

Setup & Execution

  1. Sit or stand tall with dumbbells in front of the shoulders and palms facing you.
  2. Begin pressing as the forearms rotate outward, keeping the wrists stacked over the elbows.
  3. Finish overhead with the palms facing forward and the ribs controlled.
  4. Reverse the motion slowly to return the dumbbells in front of the shoulders.

Coaching Cues

  • Rotate as you press.
  • Stay tall through the trunk.
  • Use a smooth, continuous path.

Common Mistakes

  • Arching the lower back.
  • Rotating abruptly under heavy load.
  • Allowing the elbows to drop or wrists to fold.

Movement media

See the movement

Reviewed short loop
Published media
Short silent loop · 6.6 seconds
Reviewed
Jul 16, 2026
Video source
Open source record
30–60 second tutorialplanned
Setup angleplanned
Side angleplanned
Key cue overlayplanned
Captionsplanned
Transcriptplanned

Accessible movement summary

Sit or stand tall with dumbbells in front of the shoulders and palms facing you. Begin pressing as the forearms rotate outward, keeping the wrists stacked over the elbows. Finish overhead with the palms facing forward and the ribs controlled. Reverse the motion slowly to return the dumbbells in front of the shoulders.

Key cue: Rotate as you press.

The production indicators above are roadmap states, not claims that multi-angle footage, overlays, captions, or a narrated transcript are already available.

Adapt the movement

Regressions & alternatives

Preserve the movement pattern while matching current capacity, available equipment, and the mission environment.

Regression

Seated neutral-grip dumbbell press

Progression

Tempo standing Arnold press

Home gym

Resistance-band overhead press

Commercial gym

Selectorized shoulder press

Used in

Linked Mission SOPs

Upper Hypertrophy & Structural BalancePrecision