See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press)

An intermediate strength exercise for the shoulders, abs and triceps, done with a dumbbell.

Movement guide

See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press)

Demand · source-assignedMedium (unreviewed)

Equipment requiredA dumbbell

Muscle focusShoulders · Abs · Triceps

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Make it easier or harder

Start where you can move well, then step up.

Easier option

Machine shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoMachine shoulder pressBeginner · Strength machine

Similar move, beginner grade.

This move

See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press) demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoSee-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press)Intermediate · A dumbbell

Intermediate grade (source-assigned).

Harder option

Double kettlebell jerk demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDouble kettlebell jerkAdvanced · A kettlebell

Similar move, advanced grade.

Imported reference · editorial review pending. Clinical review is pending.

This entry comes from an external exercise database. Its instructions and difficulty have not completed our editorial or qualified clinical review.

How to move

Grab a dumbbell with each hand and stand up erect.
Clean (lift) the dumbbells to the chest/shoulder level and then rotate your wrists so that your palms are facing towards you as if you were getting ready to perform an Arnold Press. This will be your starting position.
Now start extending your left arm overhead as you rotate the wrist so that the palm of your hand faces forward as you go up. Your elbows should come out also as you lift the weight. Simultaneously, you will also be bending from your hip to your opposite side. Tip: If you perform the exercise correctly, is should look as if you are trying to reach for something overhead on the right hand side of your body, but with your left arm. Breathe out as you perform this movement.
Once you reach the top position breathe in. Then, with the weight fully extended overhead and you bent over to your right hand side, begin the movement to the left side.

Practice and cautions

No dose has been assigned. Any timing or repetition examples in the imported instructions are source examples, not an individualized recommendation.

Imported community instructions and difficulty labels have not been independently reviewed for technique or individual suitability. Equipment labels may include additions inferred from the setup text; check the instructions for the exact support or alternatives. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, numbness or tingling; seek qualified guidance for symptoms, unfamiliar equipment or advanced skills.

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Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Free Exercise DB · community text ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Shoulders. Also: Abs, Triceps.

Equipment

A dumbbell

Level

Intermediate (source-assigned, not yet reviewed). See the easier and harder options above.

Similar moves

Alternating cable shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating cable shoulder pressIntermediate · A cable machine

Alternating kettlebell press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoAlternating kettlebell pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Double kettlebell military press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoDouble kettlebell military pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

Kettlebell seesaw press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoKettlebell seesaw pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

One-arm dumbbell shoulder press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoOne-arm dumbbell shoulder pressIntermediate · A dumbbell

One-arm kettlebell push press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoOne-arm kettlebell push pressIntermediate · A kettlebell

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press) work?

Mainly the shoulders, with help from the abs and triceps.

What equipment do I need for the See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press)?

A dumbbell.

Is the See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press) good for beginners?

It is graded intermediate. The grade comes from the source database and has not been independently reviewed. If it is too hard right now, start with the Machine shoulder press.

What is an easier alternative to the See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press)?

Try the Machine shoulder press. It works similar muscles at a lower grade.

How do I make the See-Saw Press (Alternating Side Press) harder?

Progress to the Double kettlebell jerk, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.