Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Dumbbell Lying Pullover on Exercise Ball - Smooth Variation: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The dumbbell lying pullover on exercise ball is a chest exercise that also engages the triceps, shoulders, and back. It requires balance and stability due to the use of the exercise ball, making it more challenging than the standard pullover.

Primary muscles
Chest
Secondary muscles
Triceps , Lats , Shoulders
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the dumbbell lying pullover on exercise ball - smooth variation
Front view: muscles worked by the dumbbell lying pullover on exercise ball - smooth variation. Primary: chest. Secondary: triceps, lats and shoulders.
Back view: muscles worked by the dumbbell lying pullover on exercise ball - smooth variation. Primary: chest. Secondary: triceps, lats and shoulders.
Primary Secondary

How to do the dumbbell lying pullover on exercise ball - smooth variation

  1. Step 1: Sit on an exercise ball and roll forward until your upper back is resting on the ball.
  2. Step 2: Hold a dumbbell with both hands and extend your arms straight up over your chest.
  3. Step 3: Slowly lower the dumbbell behind your head while keeping your arms straight.
  4. Step 4: Pause for a moment, then raise the dumbbell back to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions. Perform with smooth intensity.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the dumbbell lying pullover on exercise ball - smooth variation by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

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