Fitness

Dumbbell shoulder press: How to do this upper body exercise correctly?

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2023

Dumbbell shoulder press: How to do this upper body exercise correctly?

The dumbbell shoulder press, also called the dumbbell overhead press, is without doubt one of the greatest shoulder workout routines that primarily targets the deltoid muscle of the shoulder. This dumbbell shoulder train not solely builds shoulder power but in addition engages the complete core and improves its stability.

When you can at all times do a shoulder press with a barbell or kettlebell, the dumbbell shoulder press has some distinctive advantages. For instance: utilizing dumbbells whereas doing a shoulder press entails the entrance (anterior) deltoid greater than whereas utilizing every other weight.

This dumbbell shoulder train could be accomplished in both a standing or sitting place. It’s also possible to maintain the dumbbells both horizontally at your shoulders or maintain them rotated in a hammer grip.

Dumbbell shoulder press: seated and standing shoulder press

Dumbbell shoulder press can also be done with a barbell. (Photo via Pexels/Victor Freitas) — Dumbbell shoulder press can be accomplished with a barbell. (Picture through Pexels/Victor Freitas)

Seated shoulder press

The seated dumbbell press is a beginner-level shoulder press variation that targets either side of the shoulders equally. It is a really perfect possibility for individuals getting began with power coaching or for ones with again ache.

This place stabilizes the again and helps develop a balanced physique. A seated shoulder press could be added to your shoulder exercise, higher physique exercise, and full physique train routine.

Right here’s the way you do a seated shoulder press:

Sit on an train bench angled at 90 levels, and maintain a dumbbell in every hand utilizing a impartial grip.
Be certain to maintain your palms dealing with i,n and place the top of the dumbbells in your knees. Hold your again straight all through the train.
With a gradual and managed movement, rotate your palms in order that they face ahead, and press the dumbbells over your head by extending the elbows and fascinating the deltoid muscular tissues.
Slowly decrease the weights again to their beginning place with the arms at 90 levels or barely decrease, and repeat the train for a number of reps.

Newbie suggestions

The seated dumbbell shoulder press is a beginner-level shoulder variation. (Photo via Pexels/Ivan Samkov) — The seated dumbbell shoulder press is a beginner-level shoulder variation. (Picture through Pexels/Ivan Samkov)

When doing the seated dumbbell shoulder press, at all times maintain your again flat towards the bench’s pad, and don’t enable your head to maneuver ahead. Convey your biceps to your ear, and take lengthy breaths as you press the dumbbells overhead.

In case you really feel extreme strain within the neck in the course of the train, verify your type, and go for a lighter-weighted dumbbell. To make sure that the stress is barely in your shoulders, maintain your elbows barely bent on the high of the motion, and keep away from locking them fully.

Standing dumbbell press

The standing dumbbell shoulder press is without doubt one of the hottest shoulder workout routines amongst common gym-goers. This overhead press variation builds strong mass within the shoulders whereas additionally boosting higher physique power and endurance.

Right here’s the way you do a standing shoulder press:

Seize a pair of dumbbells, and stand straight along with your ft shoulder-width aside.
Raise the dumbbells to shoulder top, and twist barely in order that the palms face one another.
Hold your gaze straight, and slowly elevate the dumbbells above your head until the arms get totally prolonged.
Decrease the dumbbells again to their beginning place, and instantly go for the subsequent rep.
Full the specified variety of reps.

Newbie suggestions

A standing shoulder press builds solid mass in the shoulders. (Photo via Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko) — A standing shoulder press builds strong mass within the shoulders. (Picture through Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko)

When beginning with a standing dumbbell shoulder press, don’t add weight too shortly, particularly when you’re a newbie. That may result in damage and in addition negate your beneficial properties. Begin with gentle dumbbells, and regularly enhance the load.

All the time use the total vary of movement when doing this train, and maintain management of the dumbbells all through the rep. When you’ve got again ache or different associated points, skip the standing dumbbell press, and do a seated variation.

In case you really feel any ache or discomfort whereas doing the dumbbell shoulder press, decrease the load, or cease the train. Purpose to finish ten reps in every set, and choose a light-weight dumbbell to start out the train. When you’ve got any shoulder, neck, or again ache, seek the advice of a physician to search out out if these workout routines are protected for you.

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Fitness

Frustrated on not losing weight despite workout and diet? Fitness coach shares 5 hidden signs you are becoming more fit

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2024

Press Room

Frustrated on not losing weight despite workout and diet? Fitness coach shares 5 hidden signs you are becoming more fit

The weight loss journey is all about consistency and patience. However, moments of disheartening frustration can creep in, leading many to assume it’s not working and even give up in despair. But often, it’s not about big changes, small changes can speak volumes.

Even if you don’t see changes in the mirror or scale, your body sends subtle signs. (Shutterstock)

Vimal, a nutritionist and fitness coach as per her Instagram bio, shared subtle signs that are actually show your efforts. Even if the scale isn’t showing substantial progress yet, these signs can encourage you to keep going.

Not out of breath after going upstairs

Going breathless after climbing a long flight of stairs is common. But when you see improvement, it means your fitness regime is actually working. She wrote, “This improvement hints at better cardiovascular endurance. As you lose weight and get fitter, your heart and lungs work more efficiently, delivering oxygen to your muscles with less effort. With lower body fat, your body needs less energy to move so activities feel easier.”

More energy

One of the other noticeable benefits of weight loss is how it impacts your overall wellbeing, including your energy levels and mental clarity throughout the day. The fitness coach explained, “Losing weight often means your body is processing food more efficiently, leading to steady blood sugar levels and more stable energy. Improved diet and exercise can boost brain health by improving blood flow which enhances focus and memory.”

ALSO READ: Man who lost 50 kg reveals ‘the most underrated weight loss hack’

Clothes start to fit better

Even if there isn’t a stark visible change in body toning, you might notice that your clothes fit better. The usual tightness is gone, making the clothes more comfortable. She said, “This is a sign of body composition change. Even if the scale isn’t dropping, you may be losing fat while maintaining or gaining lean muscle. Muscles take up less space than fat, so your measurements can change even if your weight stays the same.”

Mental health improvements

Weight loss is not just about physical transformation, it often brings significant emotional and mental health benefits as well. She added, “Exercise and weight loss can increase endorphins also known as “feel good “ hormones which lift mood and reduce stress. Better physical health can also boost self confidence and mental clarity which may lead to improved emotional health.”

Better sleep quality:

The sleep quality improves significantly with the help of a consistent exercise routine and diet. Vimal explained, “Regular exercise and balance diet helps help regulate circadian rhythms making easier to fall asleep and wake up refreshed. Weight loss also reduces sleep apneas risk especially for those with extra body weight around the neck and chest.”

She concluded by emphasizing that the scale is not the sole measure of progress in a weight loss journey, as there are numerous other signs that reflect success beyond just the numbers.

ALSO READ: Say goodbye to your dream body if all you do is walk on a treadmill. Here’s why it gives no ‘real results’

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Fitness

Step Up! Here's How to Start a Healthy Walking Habit

Published

9 hours ago

December 16, 2024

Press Room

Step Up! Here's How to Start a Healthy Walking Habit

Breaking up a longer workout into shorter “bouts” of activity can be helpful for beginners, Paluch suggested.

Think about where you are physically, and then progressively increase your walking time from there, Paluch advised.

You might wear a step-counting device for a few days to figure out your baseline steps. Say, it’s about 4,000, which is common, then add about 500 more steps per day for the next week, she suggested.

“Just think about trying to make each increase a habit, right? So, we don’t want to just jump into it and say, we’re going to go out and walk five miles,” Paluch said. “Our goals become more achievable when we think about those in bite-size pieces and, also, we prevent injury.”

Walking at a moderate-to-vigorous intensity is more helpful for someone wanting to incorporate walking into a weight-loss plan, she added.

A 150-pound person who walks briskly will burn about 297 calories per hour, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

How many calories can you burn during a 40-minute walk? According to Livestrong, you can burn between 160 calories and 296 calories, depending on your weight and walking speed.

Walking more is best, the ACS suggested, citing a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That study found more steps were linked to lower death rates from heart disease and cancer.

Mayo Clinic offers tips on starting a 12-week walking schedule, suggesting five minutes of slower-paced walking at the beginning and again at the end of a walking workout to warm up and cool down. It recommends five walking days per week.

A brisk walk means you’re breathing hard, but can still talk, the Mayo Clinic noted. A moderate intensity walk means you can walk, but can’t sing, Paluch said.

A faster pace appears to be important for good health. Harvard Health noted that regular walking reduced risk of heart disease and early death, especially for those who walked at a pace of 3 miles an hour or faster.

Fitness

Scientists Find This Type of Exercise Cuts Heart Disease Risk in Half

Published

18 hours ago

December 16, 2024

Press Room

Scientists Find This Type of Exercise Cuts Heart Disease Risk in Half

A few short bursts of exercise throughout the day may reduce heart disease risk by 50%, according to new research.
Women specifically showed the most pronounced effects of short bursts of activity.
Experts explain the findings.

If you struggle to get your steps in or to find enough time in the day to hit the gym, you’re in luck. New research finds that even a few short bursts of exercise may cut your heart disease risk in half.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine used data from more than 22,000 people between 40 and 79 years old from the UK. These participants wore physical activity trackers for nearly 24 hours a day between 2013 and 2015. Data from hospital and death records were also used to keep track of the participants’ heart health to look for major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

Women, in particular, showed more obvious effects from the short bursts of activity. That is, women who did at least 3.4 minutes of short bursts of vigorous activity per day were found to be 45% less likely to have a major cardiovascular event. When exercising between 1.5 and four minutes a day (with bursts lasting up to one minute), researchers saw an association of a 51% reduced risk for heart attack and a 67% reduced risk for heart failure, compared to those who did not perform this type of exercise.

While women saw the most impact on their heart health, the male participants also saw some benefits of this activity. With a minimum of 2.3 minutes of activity per day, researchers found that men lowered their risk for major cardiovascular events by 11%; performing 5.6 minutes a day of this type of movement saw that men were 16% less likely to experience a major cardiovascular event.

“Making short bursts of vigorous physical activity a lifestyle habit could be a promising option for women who are not keen on structured exercise or are unable to do it for any reason,” study author Emmanuel Stamatakis, Ph.D, director of the Mackenzie Wearable Hub at the Charles Perkins Centre and the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, said in a statement.

Exercise helps the heart work better, says David Sagbir, M.D., board-certified cardiologist and spokesperson for Avocados-Love One Today. “Regular physical activity strengthens the heart muscle and improves blood flow which can help reduce risk factors for developing heart disease such as lowering blood pressure, managing cholesterol levels, helping regulate blood sugar, and impacting visceral adipose tissue—the type of body fat that surrounds organs and can increase our risk of heart disease,” he explains.

So if you want to focus on boosting heart health, Dr. Sagbir says that the best exercise for reducing heart disease risk is aerobic—the kind that increases your heart rate and gets you breathing more heavily. “I am a big fan of getting your heart pumping and circulation going with a daily walk,” he advises. And, as Dr. Sagbir points out, every micro-walk counts.

Walking is a proven means of reducing many of the major risk factors of heart disease, including blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and a high body mass index, Dr. Sagbir continues. “In addition to the cardiovascular benefits, improvements in cognitive function and memory, mood and stress, as well as longevity have all been documented,” he says (and recent research shows that walking could even add over a decade to your life!). Walking calls for no equipment, does not require a gym membership, and is adaptable to busy lifestyles, which is why Dr. Sagbir highly recommends getting your steps in.

In addition to walking, Cheng-Han Chen, M.D., board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, recommends jogging, taking the stairs, biking, and swimming/water aerobics. “It is also helpful to incorporate some strength training, as this also helps to improve the function of blood vessels,” he advises.

The bottom line

This study shows that even small amounts of higher-intensity exercise, just a few minutes at a time, can potentially provide a significant benefit to heart health, says Dr. Chen. “These are activities that can be incorporated into even a busy schedule. One can take brisk one-to-two-minute walks up and down the stairs, or get exercise through normal daily activities such as carrying heavy groceries,” he explains.

These findings are also compelling because of changes that take place during the menopause transition and how exercise may be particularly beneficial to women in this life stage, notes Dr. Sagbir. “Women experience changes during the menopausal transition that put them at greater risk for heart disease,” he says. For example, high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, significantly increases after menopause, he explains.

To reduce heart disease risk, Dr. Chen recommends engaging in regular physical activity, eating a nutritious balanced diet, getting an adequate amount of quality sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.