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Exercise · Full Body

Devil Press guide

The Devil Press is a advanced-level compound dumbbell lift that trains the Full Body. Use it when you want more full body work with dumbbell. Keep the range honest, add load only when every rep looks the same.

TargetFull Body
SecondaryFull Body
EquipmentDumbbell
MechanicsCompound
ForcePush/Pull
LevelAdvanced
Sets × reps3–5 × 3–6

What muscles does the devil press work?

The Devil Press primarily trains the Full Body, recruiting the surrounding full body musculature and supporting muscles as a compound lift. Train it as part of a balanced full body routine.

How do you do the devil press?

To do the Devil Press: pick a pair you can control through a full range. sit or stand tall, lock the ribs down, then start the devil press; move the load with the full body. if another muscle takes over, shorten the range until full body is doing the work; control the lowering half. a bounce at the bottom is a missed rep on the devil press; stop 1–2 reps before form breaks. add weight or a harder variation only after every working set looks the same.

  1. Pick a pair you can control through a full range. Sit or stand tall, lock the ribs down, then start the devil press.
  2. Move the load with the full body. If another muscle takes over, shorten the range until full body is doing the work.
  3. Control the lowering half. A bounce at the bottom is a missed rep on the devil press.
  4. Stop 1–2 reps before form breaks. Add weight or a harder variation only after every working set looks the same.

What are the most common devil press mistakes?

  • Turning the devil press into a momentum drill. — Slow the first two seconds of the lowering half until the full body stays tense.
  • Cutting the range short to move more load. — Own the longest range you can keep tidy. Load comes after range.
  • Letting the dumbbell dictate sloppy setup. — Reset stance, grip and brace before every set, not after the first ugly rep.

Devil Press alternatives

Devil Press FAQ.

What muscles does the Devil Press work?

The Devil Press primarily targets the Full Body, training the Full Body as the main muscle group, along with supporting muscles as a compound movement.

Is the Devil Press a compound or isolation exercise?

The Devil Press is a compound exercise — it works multiple muscles and joints at once, so you can load it heavily.

What equipment do I need for the Devil Press?

You need a dumbbell. Difficulty is rated advanced.

What are good alternatives to the Devil Press?

Good full body alternatives include Burpee, Thruster, Power Clean.

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