Description
A dumbbell pullover is a weight training exercise used to target the muscles in the upper body, including the chest, back, and shoulders.
How to Do Dumbbell Around Pullover
- 1Setup
Lie supine on a flat bench with your head supported and feet flat on the floor. Hold one dumbbell vertically with both hands, cupping the top plate with your palms and thumbs wrapped around the handle.
- 2Setup
Extend your arms straight over your chest, with a slight bend in your elbows, positioning the dumbbell directly above your sternum. Ensure your core is engaged to maintain a neutral spine.
- 3
Inhale deeply as you slowly lower the dumbbell in a wide arc over your head, keeping a slight elbow bend, until your biceps are near your ears and you feel a stretch in your chest and lats.
- 4
From the overhead position, continue the wide arcing motion, sweeping the dumbbell down and around your body towards your hips, keeping your elbows slightly bent and under control.
- 5
Exhale as you reverse the motion, bringing the dumbbell back up in the same wide arc, first towards the overhead position and then continuing to the starting point above your chest, squeezing your chest.
Tips
- Maintain a slight elbow bend throughout the entire movement to keep tension on the target muscles and protect your elbow joints.
- Focus on the stretch at the bottom of the overhead arc, allowing your rib cage to expand, which enhances the stretch in your chest and lats.
- Control the movement by avoiding momentum; perform each rep slowly and deliberately, especially during the "around" sweep, to maximize muscle engagement.
- Engage your core by bracing your abdominal muscles and gently pressing your lower back into the bench throughout the entire movement to prevent spinal hyperextension.
Common Mistakes
- ×Using too much weight often leads to excessive elbow bending or using momentum, so reduce the weight to maintain proper form and control.
- ×Allowing your lower back to excessively arch during the overhead portion places strain on the spine, so actively brace your core and press your lower back gently into the bench.
- ×Rushing the movement reduces time under tension and muscle activation, so slow down the tempo, especially during the eccentric (lowering) phase and the "around" sweep.
Variations

Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover
Perform the Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover to effectively target your chest and lats, enhancing both muscle development and shoulder mobility.

Dumbbell Pullover on Exercise Ball
Build a strong chest and back with the dumbbell pullover on an exercise ball. This exercise enhances core stability while targeting your pectorals and

Dumbbell Lying Pullover on Exercise Ball
Strengthen your chest and lats with the dumbbell lying pullover on an exercise ball.

Dumbbell Pullover
Sculpt a stronger chest and back with the dumbbell pullover. This classic exercise targets your pectorals and lats, enhancing upper body strength and
Related Exercises

Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover (with hanging band technique)
Strengthen your chest and lats with the Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover, enhanced by a hanging band for improved stability and muscle activation.

Dumbbell Straight Arm Pullover (knees at 90 degrees)
Strengthen your chest and lats with the dumbbell straight arm pullover. Lie on your back, extend a dumbbell behind your head, and pull it over your chest

Dumbbell Press on Exercise Ball
Perform a dumbbell chest press on an exercise ball to engage your pectoralis major, anterior deltoids, and triceps while challenging core stability.

Dumbbell Lying One Arm Press
Build a powerful, balanced chest with the Dumbbell Lying One Arm Press. This exercise isolates one side of your chest, improving strength and stability.

Assisted Standing Triceps Dip
Build triceps strength with machine assistance that lets you focus on proper dip form at a manageable load.

Dumbbell Complex Push-up Row Clean and Press
The ultimate full-body dumbbell complex combining a push-up, row, clean, and overhead press in one flow.
Track Dumbbell Around Pullover in your workouts
Log sets, reps, and weight. See your progress over time.
Get Ellim — Free