Overhead power, full range.
Keep your core braced and don't let your lower back arch off the seat.
The seated dumbbell shoulder press works the delts through a full overhead range, with each arm pressing its own load so neither side coasts. The dumbbells can travel a natural path around your head instead of a fixed bar line, which most shoulders find friendlier, and the triceps step in to finish near lockout. It's the bread and butter overhead builder for delts that look strong from the front and the side.
Seated with your core braced lets you press more and focus on the delts, standing turns half the exercise into full-body stabilising. These steps are the seated version, save standing work for the barbell.
Dumbbells give a freer path, a longer range and independent arms, the barbell loads heaviest. For pure delt growth dumbbells are hard to beat, for pressing strength the bar rules. Most lifters rotate both.
You're leaning back to turn the press into an incline, usually a sign the dumbbells are too heavy. Brace your abs, keep your ribs down against the seat, and pick a weight you can press truly vertical.
