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Exercise Guide

How to do dumbbell incline fly

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The dumbbell incline fly is an isolation exercise that targets the upper pectoral muscles. By performing the movement on an inclined bench, you place more emphasis on the clavicular head of the chest. The wide, sweeping motion provides a deep stretch at the bottom and a strong contraction at the top, helping to create a well-rounded chest and shoulder stability.

Stats

DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Barbell, Dumbbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Bench Angle: Set an incline bench to a 30-45 degree angle.
  2. Position: Lie back on the bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Press the dumbbells up so they are directly over your chest.
  3. Grip: Your palms should be facing each other, and there should be a slight bend in your elbows.

The Movement:

  1. Lower: Inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells out to your sides in a wide arc. Maintain the slight bend in your elbows throughout.
  2. Stretch: Lower the weights until you feel a good stretch across your chest. Your hands should be about level with your chest.
  3. Raise: Exhale and reverse the motion, bringing the dumbbells back up in the same wide arc. Imagine you are hugging a large tree.
  4. Squeeze: Squeeze your chest muscles at the top of the movement, but don't let the dumbbells touch.

Tips:

  • This is an isolation exercise, so use a lighter weight than you would for pressing.
  • The key is to maintain the arc and the slight bend in your elbows. Don't turn it into a press.
  • Keep your shoulders back and down on the bench.

Common mistakes: Bending the elbows too much (turning it into a press), clashing the dumbbells at the top, and overextending the shoulders at the bottom.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Fly Machine

machine seated fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

cable lying fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Cable

cable low chest fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Barbell

barbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Chest Press Machine

machine chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Incline Chest Press Machine

machine incline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Crossover Cable

cable standing fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Dumbbell

dumbbell fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable standing crossovers

ChestFront Shoulder
High Incline Chest Press Machine

machine high incline hammer chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

clap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench Press

barbell paused bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

chest tap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

decline push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

dips between chair

ChestTriceps+1
Resistance Band

resistance band push up

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Dip Machine

machine seated dip

ChestTriceps+1
None

wide grip push-up

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused decline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dip Bar

chest dips

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip on floor

ChestTriceps+1
None

push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

cable lying pullover

ChestBack
Bench

dumbbell close grip bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dumbbell

push-up row

ChestBack+5
Cable

cable incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Chest Press Machine

machine decline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Cable

cable bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

dumbbell incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

diamond push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

incline push-up

ChestTriceps+1
None

floor triceps dips

ChestFront Shoulder+1
Resistance Band

assisted chest dip

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Bench

barbell decline bench press

ChestFront Shoulder+2
None

burpee

ChestTriceps+7