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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:
- Bench Angle: Set an incline bench to a 30-45 degree angle.
- Position: Lie back on the bench, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Press the dumbbells up so they are directly over your chest.
- Grip: Your palms should be facing each other, and there should be a slight bend in your elbows.
The Movement:
- Lower: Inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells out to your sides in a wide arc. Maintain the slight bend in your elbows throughout.
- Stretch: Lower the weights until you feel a good stretch across your chest. Your hands should be about level with your chest.
- Raise: Exhale and reverse the motion, bringing the dumbbells back up in the same wide arc. Imagine you are hugging a large tree.
- 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