Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press
In SetGrip: Dumbbell Bench Press (Incline, Alternating)
Alternating arms on an incline bench roughly doubles each dumbbell's time under tension, since one presses while the other holds, and your torso works to stay square as the load shifts side to side. Expect to press less than in a standard incline dumbbell press, and treat it as upper-chest volume with a trunk-control bonus.
How to do the Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press
- Sit on an incline bench with a dumbbell in each hand, resting on your thighs.
- Lean back on the bench and use your thighs to help raise the dumbbells to shoulder height, palms facing forward.
- Once at shoulder height, rotate your wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing forward.
- Push the dumbbells up with your chest and shoulders, extending your arms fully.
- Lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, alternating arms.
Tip: Squeeze the bar hard and keep the wrists straight over the elbows through the whole rep.
Muscles worked
Primary
Pectorals · Chest
The chest presses the arms together and forward, and decline and wide grip variations put more emphasis on the lower and outer pecs.
Common mistakes
- Elbows flaring wide — on horizontal presses keep the elbows at roughly 45 degrees from the torso; pressing overhead, keep them under the weight instead.
- Losing the shoulder blade position — on bench-style presses set the shoulder blades back and down and keep them there; overhead, let the shoulder blades rotate up naturally with the arms.
- Bouncing or rushing the bottom — control the bar down and pause for a beat before driving up, especially on decline and close grip variations.
- Not committing to a variation — Bradford presses, skull presses and the like are hybrids; pick a fixed range and stick with it for the whole set.
Sets, reps and where it fits
| Goal | Sets × reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 4–5 × 3–6 | 2–3 min |
| Muscle growth | 3–4 × 6–12 | 90–120 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 12–20 | 60 s |
Presses are the main movement in a push session and should go first or second. Superset them with a row or pulldown for a push and pull pair using the same bench or station.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
Without dumbbell
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press work?
The Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press primarily works the pectorals. It also involves the delts and triceps, which assist the movement and stabilise the joints.
Is the Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press good for beginners?
It is rated intermediate, so it suits people who already train regularly. Beginners can still do the Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press with light load and a spotter or coach watching the first few sessions; if it feels awkward, pick an easier variation from the alternatives below first.
What can I do instead of the Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press?
If you cannot do the Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press, try the Svend Press, the Alternating Kettlebell Floor Press or the Single Arm Kettlebell Floor Press. Each of them trains the pectorals through a similar movement, so you can swap them in without changing the rest of the workout.
How many sets and reps should I do?
It depends on your goal. For the Incline Alternating Dumbbell Bench Press, a sensible starting point is strength: 4–5 × 3–6 with 2–3 min rest; muscle growth: 3–4 × 6–12 with 90–120 s rest; endurance: 2–3 × 12–20 with 60 s rest. Put it early in the session while you are fresh, before isolation work for the same muscles.
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