Arms · Dumbbell
Dumbbell Standing French Press
How to do the dumbbell standing french press, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Stand tall holding a single dumbbell with both hands overhead, arms extended. Keeping your elbows pointed forward and close to your head, lower the dumbbell behind your head by bending at the elbows. Extend back to the top by squeezing your triceps.
- 1Triceps stretching as you lower the dumbbell behind your head
- 2Elbows staying tucked and pointed up so the triceps do the work
- 3A strong triceps squeeze as you press back to full extension
Common mistakes
- Don't let your elbows flare out wide as you lower the weight
- Avoid arching your lower back; keep your ribs down and core braced
- Don't bounce at the bottom; control the stretch and the press
Muscles worked
The dumbbell standing french press mainly works the triceps.
- TricepsPrimary
- ForearmsMinor
- Lower BackMinor
- Upper AbsMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
- Front DeltsMinor
Kovo programs the dumbbell standing french press for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More triceps exercises
- How to do the bent-over tricep extension
- How to do the crossbody tricep extension
- How to do the cable katana tricep extension
- How to do the cable single arm tricep extension
- How to do the kickback
- How to do the lying tricep extension
Last reviewed June 2026.