Dumbbell Bent Arm Pullover

The Dumbbell Bent Arm Pullover targets the chest, back, and triceps. It is performed lying on a bench or the floor.

  1. Start by holding a dumbbell with both hands above your chest, arms bent at 90 degrees.
  2. Lower the dumbbell in an arc behind your head while keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  3. Pull the dumbbell back to the starting position, engaging your chest and back muscles.

How to perform the Dumbbell Bent Arm Pullover

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Dumbbell Bent Arm Pullover using your dumbbell.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your pectoralis major.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your pectoralis major rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

Build a free routine

Stage exercises here, then sign up to save them as a real Fitly routine — synced to web and mobile.

View staged routine (0)

Variations of Dumbbell Bent Arm Pullover

Related exercises

0 exercises staged Save your routine — sign up free.