Incline Dumbbell Press
Learn how to perform Incline Dumbbell Press, a Chest exercise, with setup, breathing and common mistakes.
Incline Dumbbell Press · Preview
Setup
Set the bench to 30~45 degrees and lie back with the dumbbells. Pull your shoulders back to open your upper chest, and plant your feet firmly on the floor.
Start phase
Slowly lower the dumbbells beside your upper chest, just below your collarbones. Keep your elbows from flaring too far out and stop before your shoulders round forward.
End phase
Press the dumbbells straight up. Keep your shoulders from moving forward as you press; it is fine for the dumbbells to come naturally closer, but do not force them together.
Target muscles
Think about pressing the dumbbells away with your upper chest. If one side rises first or one shoulder feels more involved, lower the weight and match both sides.
Common mistakes
A bench angle that is too high turns the movement into more of a shoulder exercise. Keep the bench at no more than 45 degrees, and lower the dumbbells below your collarbones rather than toward your neck.
Breathing
Inhale deeply as you lower and exhale as you press up. Pressing as you exhale can help you drive through your chest.
Coach tip
With the bar fully lowered, the position where your forearms are vertical is a natural dumbbell width. If barbell incline presses bother your shoulders, use dumbbells to adjust your wrist angles.
