Exercise guide
Dumbbell Glute Bridge Chest Press
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Chest
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
This compound movement combines a glute bridge with a chest press to build lower body stability and upper body pushing power. By holding the bridge, you create a natural decline angle that emphasizes the lower pectorals while keeping the glutes and hamstrings under constant tension.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand at chest level with an overhand grip, elbows resting on the floor.
- Drive through your heels to lift your hips toward the ceiling until your body forms a straight line from knees to shoulders.
How to do it
- Maintain the bridge position and exhale as you press the dumbbells straight up over your chest until arms are fully extended.
- Inhale and slowly lower the weights with a controlled 2-second tempo until your elbows lightly touch the floor.
- Keep your glutes squeezed and hips elevated at the same height throughout the entire movement.
Form checklist
- Keep your hips high and level; do not let them sag as the weights move.
- Stack your wrists directly over your elbows to ensure proper joint alignment.
- Tuck your chin slightly and keep your shoulder blades retracted against the floor.
- Maintain a 45-degree angle between your elbows and your torso to protect the shoulder joints.
Pro tips
- Focus on driving your heels into the floor to maximize glute engagement, which provides a more stable platform for a heavier press.
- Imagine pushing your upper back into the floor as you press the weights up to create maximum tension in the pectorals.
Make it harder
- Lift one leg off the floor to perform a single-leg bridge, significantly increasing the demand on your core and stabilizing muscles.
- Perform the press in an alternating fashion to challenge your rotational stability and anti-extension strength.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the dumbbell glute bridge chest press work?
- The dumbbell glute bridge chest press primarily targets the glutes, hamstrings, and pectorals, and also works the abs, obliques, and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the dumbbell glute bridge chest press?
- The dumbbell glute bridge chest press uses dumbbell.
- Is the dumbbell glute bridge chest press good for beginners?
- The dumbbell glute bridge chest press is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
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