Exercise 0433 · REF i8BdLTK

Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover exercise animation

Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover

Category
Chest
Equipment
Dumbbell
Target
Pectorals

Despite living in most chest routines, the pullover works the lats and serratus about as much as the pecs — the arms staying straight throughout means the shoulder, not the elbow, is doing all the moving. It's one of the few exercises that meaningfully stretches the lats under load while lying flat, which is why it's stuck around even as pure chest and back isolation exercises have multiplied.

How to Do the Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover

  1. Lie flat on a bench with your head at one end and your feet planted firmly on the ground.
  2. Hold a dumbbell with both hands and extend your arms straight above your chest.
  3. Keeping your arms straight, slowly lower the dumbbell behind your head in an arc-like motion.
  4. Pause for a moment, then raise the dumbbell back to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover primarily targets the Pectorals, with Latissimus Dorsi as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Triceps.

More Chest Exercises

More Pectorals Exercises

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have dumbbell? These target the same pectorals with different equipment.

FAQ

What muscles does the Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover work?
The Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover primarily targets the pectorals, with the latissimus dorsi and triceps assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover?
The Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover is done with a dumbbell.
What's a good alternative to the Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover?
If you don't have access to a dumbbell, the Archer Push Up targets the same pectorals using body weight instead.