Dumbbell Pullover
The pullover is an old time classic exercise that was Favorited by many famous bodybuilders in the past. The pullover hits your entire upper body, it works on your upper chest, the serratus, intercostals, abs, lats and triceps.
This is a unique exercise because it works on opposite muscles at the same time - the chest and the back. It is considered more of a chest exercise, since study showed that the pullover stimulates the pectoralis major of the chest more than the latissimus dorsi of the back.
Another benefit of the pullover, is that it works your chest from a whole new different angle, compared to the usual bench press or chest flyers. This will stimulate different muscle fibers in a whole different way, which can spur on new muscle growth in the upper chest that you didn't trained before.
One important thing to know, is that this exercise might not fit everyone, since it may cause shoulder problems for some people.
This is a unique exercise because it works on opposite muscles at the same time - the chest and the back. It is considered more of a chest exercise, since study showed that the pullover stimulates the pectoralis major of the chest more than the latissimus dorsi of the back.
Another benefit of the pullover, is that it works your chest from a whole new different angle, compared to the usual bench press or chest flyers. This will stimulate different muscle fibers in a whole different way, which can spur on new muscle growth in the upper chest that you didn't trained before.
One important thing to know, is that this exercise might not fit everyone, since it may cause shoulder problems for some people.
Exercise Video
How to do
- Hold a single dumbbell near your chest, Lie down on a bench with your shoulders near the end of the bench. Your head should be off the bench.
- Grasp the dumbbell with both hands, and lift it up. Your arms should have a slight bend to them at the starting position.
- Slowly lower the dumbbell back over your head towards the floor, keep your elbows slightly bent throughout the movement. Remember, all muscles should be totally stretched as the weight approaches the floor. The back should have a maximum arch when the weight is lowered to this position.
- Slowly raise the dumbbell to above your chest to the starting position.
This exercise puts your arms in a bit of a weak position, so be sure to start out with a light weight, and gradually increase the resistance as your body adapts over time.
If you feel pain in your shoulders doing this exercise, you can try using two dumbbells, one in each hand instead of one for both. this will cause less stress on the joints.
Don't stretch your abs too much when the dumbbell is lowered behind your head. This might stretch the linea alba which is the connective tissue in the middle of your abs, causing weakening and even tears over time.
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