(Primary muscles: pectorals, serratus anterior, and latissimus dorsi)

Place dumbbell on end of flat exercise bench. Lie across the bench with only the upper back and shoulders in contact with it. Your feet should be set at shoulder width apart. Reach to the side and place the palms of your hands against the underside of the upper set of the plates on the dumbbell. Pull the weight up to a position at straight arms\’ length directly above the shoulders. Simultaneously bend your arms 10-20 degrees while lowering the dumbbell to the rear and downward in a semicircular arc to a position as far behind your head as is comfortably possible. Without bouncing in the bottom position of the movement, slowly return the dumbbell along the same arc to the starting position exhaling as your raise it.

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver. For further information call his office at 604-420-7800.