Decline Bench Press vs Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

Which one fits your Chest workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Incline Dumbbell Bench Press more often — 26,837 sessions vs 484. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Decline Bench Press and Incline Dumbbell Bench Press and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.

Decline Bench Press vs Incline Dumbbell Bench Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Dumbbell Bench Press more often — 26,837 sessions compared to 484 for Decline Bench Press.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Decline Bench Press and Incline Dumbbell Bench Press differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Decline Bench Press and Incline Dumbbell Bench Press Differ

What differsDecline Bench PressIncline Dumbbell Bench Press
Equipmenta barbella dumbbell
Difficulty5 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users484 sessions26,837 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Decline Bench Press or Incline Dumbbell Bench Press fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Decline Bench Press

Decline Bench Press demo video

Decline Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches your chest. It should be lower than in a typical bench press.
  2. 2. At this time, your forearms should be vertical to the floor.
  3. 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. If you have high intraocular pressure, please substitute with other exercises.
  2. 2. If the barbell does not touch your chest, lower it as much as possible without straining.
  3. 3. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
  4. 4. Be careful not to let your buttocks come off the bench.

For a full Decline Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Decline Bench Press exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Decline Bench Press?Exercise Guide

How to Do Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press demo video

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lower the dumbbell so that it is next to your chest.
  2. 2. At this time, your forearm should be perpendicular to the floor.
  3. 3. Slowly lift the dumbbell back to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. If you can't lower the dumbbell to chest height, please lower it as much as you can without straining.
  2. 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
  3. 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.

For a full Incline Dumbbell Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Dumbbell Bench Press exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Incline Dumbbell Bench Press?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Chest, Decline Bench Press or Incline Dumbbell Bench Press?

Planfit users log Incline Dumbbell Bench Press more often — 26,837 sessions against 484 for Decline Bench Press. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Decline Bench Press and Incline Dumbbell Bench Press need?

Decline Bench Press needs a barbell, and Incline Dumbbell Bench Press needs a dumbbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press is the easier place to start. Move to Decline Bench Press once your form holds up.

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