Exercise library · Shoulders

How to Do Cuban Press

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the cuban press.

How to do it

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Now press the dumbbells by extending at the elbows, straightening your arms overhead.
4. Return to the starting position as you breathe in by reversing the steps.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Form tips

• Start light and own the movement before adding weight.
• Control the lowering phase — don't drop into it.
• Keep breathing; exhale on the hardest part.
• Stop if you feel sharp pain (different from muscle burn).

Browse all workouts →

Similar exercises

Dumbbell Shoulder PressShoulders

Side Lateral RaiseShoulders

Reverse FlyesShoulders

Front Dumbbell RaiseShoulders

Arnold Dumbbell PressShoulders

Dumbbell RaiseShoulders

Gear for this exercise

Adjustable dumbbellsA full home gym in one small space.See it on Amazon →Adjustable workout benchUnlocks presses, rows and step-ups at home.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.