Please STOP Gripping Your Dumbbells Like This!

Bench-Press Grip Adjustments

The video recommends making small grip adjustments to reduce wrist pressure and potentially make pressing more comfortable.

Dumbbell Bench Press

• Shift your hand slightly toward the thumb-side edge of the handle instead of holding it exactly centered.
• Grip firmly, but allow the dumbbell to tilt slightly so the thumb side of your palm sits higher than the pinky side.
• If keeping the dumbbell perfectly level causes discomfort, don’t force that position. The presenter says a slight tilt may create more space at the wrist and reduce compression on its radial side.

Barbell Bench Press

Because your hands are fixed on the bar, try a slightly narrower grip if a wide grip bothers your wrists. Choose a width that feels comfortable; the video does not recommend using a narrow grip for every workout.

Comfort and Control

These are small adjustments, not instructions to force your wrist into an exaggerated position. The presenter notes that wrist discomfort can limit how much you press.

Presenter/source: Jeff Cavalier, ATHLEAN-X (athleanx.com)