Cuban Press
How to do the Cuban Press
- 1
Take a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated grip in a standing position. Raise your upper arms so that they are parallel to the floor, allowing your lower arms to hang in the "scarecrow" position. This will be your starting position.
- 2
To initiate the movement, externally rotate the shoulders to move the upper arm 180 degrees. Keep the upper arms in place, rotating the upper arms until the wrists are directly above the elbows, the forearms perpendicular to the floor.
- 3
Now press the dumbbells by extending at the elbows, straightening your arms overhead.
- 4
Return to the starting position as you breathe in by reversing the steps.
- 5
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
How to program the Cuban Press
Sets and reps
As a compound movement, the Cuban Press responds well to heavier loading. For strength, work in the 3–5 sets of 4–8 reps range with 2–3 minutes of rest between sets. For muscle growth, 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps with 90 seconds of rest is the classic hypertrophy zone. Place it early in your session, when you're freshest, and leave 1–3 reps in reserve on most sets.
Progression
The Cuban Press is rated intermediate. Earn the right to progress: only add load when every rep of every set moves with consistent technique. Video your sets or use a mirror to check positions, and use double progression (add reps to the top of your range, then add load and reset) rather than jumping weight.
Secondary muscles worked
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Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Cuban Press work?
The Cuban Press primarily targets the Shoulders. It also recruits the Traps as supporting muscles.
What equipment do I need for the Cuban Press?
You need Dumbbell. Difficulty level: Intermediate.
How many sets and reps of the Cuban Press should I do?
For strength, do 3–5 sets of 4–8 reps with 2–3 minutes rest. For muscle growth, do 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps with about 90 seconds rest.
