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  7. Dumbbell Glute Bridge Chest Press

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

Watch the Dumbbell Glute Bridge Chest Press demonstrationGuided video and your full workout live in the Crucible app.

Muscles worked

Primary

  • Glutes
  • Hamstrings
  • Pectorals

Secondary

  • Abs
  • Obliques
  • Serratus anterior

Equipment

  • Dumbbell

Setup

  1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
  2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at chest level with an overhand grip, elbows resting on the floor.
  3. 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

  1. Maintain the bridge position and exhale as you press the dumbbells straight up over your chest until arms are fully extended.
  2. Inhale and slowly lower the weights with a controlled 2-second tempo until your elbows lightly touch the floor.
  3. 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.

Related exercises

  • Baseball HitAdvanced · biceps, deltoids, glutes, hamstrings, lats, obliques, pectorals, quadriceps, and triceps
  • Dumbbell BurpeeIntermediate · deltoids, glutes, hamstrings, pectorals, quadriceps, and triceps
  • Dumbbell Contralateral Glute Bridge Single Arm Chest PressAdvanced · glutes, hamstrings, and pectorals
  • Dumbbell Devils PressAdvanced · glutes, hamstrings, pectorals, quadriceps, and trapezius

Train this with a plan, not guesswork

Crucible builds the dumbbell glute bridge chest press into a precise program around your body, equipment, location, and time.

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