dumbbell scott press: technique and muscles worked

Animated demonstration of dumbbell scott press

How to do this exercise

Step:1 Sit on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward.
Step:2 Raise the dumbbells to shoulder height, with your elbows bent and palms facing forward.
Step:3 Press the dumbbells upward until your arms are fully extended.
Step:4 Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
Step:5 Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Equipment: Dumbbells
Body part: Shoulders
Target muscle: Anterior deltoid Lateral deltoid
Secondary muscle: Triceps Posterior deltoid

Hypertrophy grade

Good7 / 10

Nemeo’s take

The Scott Press (named after Larry Scott, the first Mr. Olympia) is a rare and technical variation of the Military (Shoulder) Press. Unlike the classic press, the movement begins with the dumbbells in front of your face, palms facing you. As you lift the load, you rotate your wrists outwards while opening your elbows. It is the “big brother” of the curve: it imposes constant tension on the lateral deltoid and the anterior deltoid, creating an exceptional roundness of the shoulder.

This catalog score reflects Nemeo’s assessment of the exercise’s muscle-building potential. It is not a standardized scientific rating or a personalized recommendation.

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dumbbell scott press

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