Movement Practice WOD
exercise wod
AMRAP 12
8 controlled reps
10 bodyweight reps
200m easy run or 60 sec cardio
Kettlebell
Dumbbell Floor Press — Technique Guide
BB
By Borja Bes — CrossFit Athlete & Hyrox Finisher
The dumbbell floor press is a horizontal pressing exercise performed on the floor instead of a bench. The floor limits how far the elbows can travel behind the torso, which creates a clear bottom position and keeps the setup simple for home-gym or accessory strength sessions. It trains the chest and triceps while each arm controls its own dumbbell. The movement is not automatically shoulder-friendly for everyone: use a neutral or slightly turned grip, lower under control, and stop if the bottom position causes pain. In WODBuilders programming, the floor press is best treated as controlled strength work rather than a rushed conditioning movement.
Quick answer
Dumbbell Floor Press is best used when the workout goal matches its main demand: kettlebell capacity, clean mechanics, and scalable intensity.
Curated demonstration
Watch Dumbbell Floor Press Technique
How To Do A Dumbbell Floor Press by PureGym. This direct demonstration was reviewed on 2026-08-06.
Watch the demonstration ↗Muscles Worked
PectoralsTricepsAnterior deltoidsCore
Equipment
DumbbellsFloor mat
Best For, Avoid If, and Scaling
| Best for | Kettlebell WODs, skill practice, and athletes who can keep dumbbell floor press mechanics consistent under fatigue. |
|---|---|
| Avoid if | Pain changes your movement pattern, fatigue makes reps sloppy, or the workout asks for a standard you cannot repeat safely. |
| Scaling | Use lighter dumbbells, press one arm at a time, or perform an incline push-up. |
How to Do the Dumbbell Floor Press
1
Sit on the floor with the dumbbells on the thighs, then roll onto the back while guiding the weights into position.
2
Plant the feet, brace the trunk, and hold the dumbbells above the chest with wrists stacked over elbows.
3
Turn the palms slightly inward and lower both weights under control until the upper arms touch the floor gently.
4
Pause without relaxing the shoulders or bouncing the elbows into the floor.
5
Press the dumbbells up and slightly together until the elbows are straight, then reset before the next rep.
Common Mistakes
✕
Dropping the elbows into the floor instead of controlling the final centimetres of the descent.
✕
Letting the wrists fold backward rather than stacking the handles over the forearms.
✕
Flaring the elbows directly sideways, which can make the shoulder position less comfortable.
✕
Using a load that requires twisting or throwing the dumbbells to get into position.
Coaching Tips
✓
Use a neutral-to-45-degree grip and keep the shoulder blades settled against the floor.
✓
Think “upper arms touch, then press” rather than trying to force extra depth.
✓
For unilateral sets, widen the feet and resist rotating toward the working arm.
✓
Finish the set before the dumbbells drift toward the face or the wrists lose alignment.
Scaling Options
Easier / Beginner
Use lighter dumbbells, press one arm at a time, or perform an incline push-up.
Harder / Advanced
Use a slow three-second lowering phase, a one-second floor pause, or alternating single-arm reps.
Related WODs
Use Dumbbell Floor Press in a Real Workout
Create a similar WOD
Technique + Conditioning
scaled workout
4 rounds for quality
10 technique reps
30 sec core hold
12 low-skill conditioning reps
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a floor press and a bench press?
The floor stops the upper arms before they can travel far behind the torso, so the floor press uses a shorter pressing range. A bench allows more shoulder extension and usually more chest stretch. Both train horizontal pressing, but they are not identical exercises.
Should the elbows rest on the floor between reps?
Touch the upper arms down gently and keep the shoulders organised. A brief controlled pause is useful; fully relaxing or bouncing the elbows removes tension and can make the next press unstable.
Can I do the dumbbell floor press with one arm?
Yes. A single-arm floor press adds an anti-rotation challenge. Use a lighter weight, plant the feet wider, and keep the ribs and pelvis facing the ceiling throughout the rep.
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