Cuban Press
The cuban press is a shoulders exercise that targets the shoulders with dumbbell. Watch the demo, then follow the step-by-step form guide below.
One rep, playing on a loop. Use the controls to pause it or scrub through the movement.
How to do the cuban press
Take a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated grip in a standing position. Raise your upper arms so that they are parallel to the floor, allowing your lower arms to hang in the "scarecrow" position. This will be your starting position.
To initiate the movement, externally rotate the shoulders to move the upper arm 180 degrees. Keep the upper arms in place, rotating the upper arms until the wrists are directly above the elbows, the forearms perpendicular to the floor.
Now press the dumbbells by extending at the elbows, straightening your arms overhead.
Return to the starting position as you breathe in by reversing the steps.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
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Build a weekly routine around the cuban press and the rest of your shoulders work, matched to your goal and the equipment you have.
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Related shoulders exercises
Browse all shoulders exercises, read our dumbbell workout for back and shoulders guide, or return to the exercise library.
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Educational information only — not medical advice. Stop if you feel pain and talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program.
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