How to do a Handle Band Shoulder Press
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Handle Band Shoulder Press
Workouts with Handle Band Shoulder Press
Instructions for Proper Form
The Handle Band Shoulder Press focuses on the deltoids and triceps, offering a versatile upper body workout. Using a resistance band with handles allows for a full range of motion, improving shoulder strength and flexibility with less joint stress compared to dumbbells.
- Stand upright with your feet hip width apart and a resistance band underneath the middle of both feet holding the handles so that your palms are facing forward at shoulder height.
- Extend your arms overhead until the resistance band handles are directly over top of your shoulders.
- Return the handles back to shoulder height and repeat.
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Alternative Exercises to Handle Band Shoulder Press
1. Dumbbell Shoulder Press
99.5 mSCORESWAPPED 227 TIMESDumbbell Shoulder Press is a compound exercise that primarily targets the shoulders. The use of dumbbells allows for slightly more instability than with equipment like barbells. This can help you recruit and develop stabilizing muscles around the shoulders. In addition, by using dumbbells, you can help identify and address any strength imbalances between sides.
2. Handle Band Upright Row
48 mSCORESWAPPED 149 TIMESFocusing on the shoulders and upper back, the Handle Band Upright Row uses a resistance band to execute the rowing motion. This exercise improves shoulder and neck posture, offering a safer alternative to barbell rows by reducing the risk of shoulder impingement.
- Beginner
- Shoulders
- Handle Bands
3. Cross-body Arm Stretch
11.9 mSCORESWAPPED 120 TIMESCross-body Arm Stretch is a basic isolation stretch that primarily targets the shoulders, specifically focusing on the rear deltoids and triceps. By pulling one arm across your body and holding it with the opposite arm, you can improve flexibility and relieve tension in the shoulders. This stretch is an excellent addition to any warm-up or cool-down routine to enhance shoulder mobility and reduce injury risk.
- Beginner
- Shoulders
4. Dumbbell Standing Front Press
64.1 mSCORESWAPPED 111 TIMESDumbbell Standing Front Press is a variation on the more standard Shoulder Press. Similar to other Shoulder Press variations, this compound exercise primarily targets your shoulders. The standing position helps improve overall balance and functional strength by engaging your core and stabilizing muscles more than a seated version. Using dumbbells ensures that each side of the body works equally, preventing compensating for any strength imbalances between sides.
5. Dumbbell Front Raise
98.6 mSCORESWAPPED 104 TIMESDumbbell Front Raise is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the shoulders, more specifically the anterior deltoid (front of the shoulder). This is a very common shoulder exercise, and can work well to isolate the shoulders to build strength and muscle mass. By using dumbbells, you can help identify and address any strength imbalances between sides.
6. Backward Arm Circle
84.1 mSCORESWAPPED 102 TIMESBackward Arm Circle is a continuous exercise that primarily targets the shoulders. This exercise is often used as a warm up to improve mobility and muscle activation throughout the shoulders. This exercise is often used together with its counterpart, Forward Arm Circle.
- Beginner
- Shoulders
7. Dumbbell Lateral Raise To Front Raise
78.6 mSCORESWAPPED 101 TIMESDumbbell Lateral Raise to Front Raise is a combination of both Shoulder Raise, and Front Raise. Both movements in this exercise are isolation movements that primarily target the shoulder. By performing these exercises together, you can more completely target your shoulders than by using one of these two movements.
8. Shoulder Squeeze
13.8 mSCORESWAPPED 93 TIMESShoulder Squeeze is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the back, specifically the muscles between the shoulder blades (rhomboids and middle trapezius). This exercise can help improve posture and shoulder stability. The movement involves squeezing the shoulder blades together, which can be easily done with or without equipment, making it a versatile addition to any workout routine.
- Beginner
- Shoulders
9. Standing Dumbbell Shoulder Press
86 mSCORESWAPPED 91 TIMESStanding Dumbbell Shoulder Press is a variation on the more standard Shoulder Press. Like other Shoulder Press variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your shoulders. By using dumbbells, you add more instability to the movement which can help recruit smaller stabilizing muscles around your shoulder. In addition, by performing this exercise while standing you add even more instability.
10. Mini Loop Band Overhead Fly
19.8 mSCORESWAPPED 91 TIMESAn isolation exercise that targets the deltoids and upper back, the overhead fly with a mini loop band adds resistance to improve muscle strength and stability. This variation offers a unique challenge, enhancing shoulder health and aesthetics better than standard flies.
- Beginner
- Shoulders
- Mini Loop Bands