Dumbbell Incline Bench Press

Set an incline bench, brace, and hold dumbbells over chest with wrists stacked and shoulder blades pulled back. Lower to upper-chest line with elbows at about 45 degrees, then press up and squeeze. Builds upper chest, shoulders, and triceps.

Muscles worked

Equipment

Dumbbell Incline Bench Press exercise demonstration

How to do it

  1. Lie on the incline bench with feet planted and eyes under the dumbbells.
  2. Pull your scapulae down and back and keep the ribs controlled.
  3. Start with the dumbbells over the upper chest, wrists stacked over elbows.
  4. Lower the dumbbells under control with elbows about 45 degrees from your ribs.
  5. Press back up until the elbows reach a strong lockout.
  6. Keep the shoulders pinned to the bench through the whole rep.

Watch for

  • Wrists bending back under the load.
  • Elbows flaring straight out from the shoulders.
  • Hips lifting off the bench to finish the press.

Breathing

Inhale and brace before lowering, exhale through the press.

Tip

Stop the descent where you can keep the shoulders stable and the forearms vertical.

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