Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Dumbbell One Arm French Press on Exercise Ball: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The dumbbell one arm French press on an exercise ball targets the triceps while also engaging the core and shoulders due to the instability of the exercise ball. This movement requires balance and coordination in addition to upper arm strength.

Primary muscles
Triceps
Secondary muscles
Shoulders
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the dumbbell one arm french press on exercise ball
Front view: muscles worked by the dumbbell one arm french press on exercise ball. Primary: triceps. Secondary: shoulders.
Back view: muscles worked by the dumbbell one arm french press on exercise ball. Primary: triceps. Secondary: shoulders.
Primary Secondary

How to do the dumbbell one arm french press on exercise ball

  1. Step 1: Sit on an exercise ball with your feet flat on the ground and your back straight.
  2. Step 2: Hold a dumbbell in one hand with your palm facing up and your elbow bent at a 90-degree angle.
  3. Step 3: Extend your arm straight up towards the ceiling, keeping your elbow stationary.
  4. Step 4: Slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the dumbbell one arm french press on exercise ball 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.

Dumbbell One Arm French Press on Exercise Ball alternatives

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