Decline Dumbbell Bench Press vs Incline Smith Machine Bench Press

Which one fits your Chest workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions vs 736. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

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

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions compared to 736 for Decline Dumbbell Bench Press.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Decline Dumbbell Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine 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 Dumbbell Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press Differ

What differsDecline Dumbbell Bench PressIncline Smith Machine Bench Press
Equipmenta dumbbella machine
Difficulty5 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users736 sessions15,214 sessions

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

How to Do Decline Dumbbell Bench Press

Decline Dumbbell Bench Press demo video

Decline Dumbbell Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lower the dumbbell until 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 have high eye pressure, please substitute with other exercises.
  2. 2. If you cannot lower the dumbbells to chest height, please lower them as much as you can 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. Please be careful not to let your buttocks come off the bench.

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

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

How to Do Incline Smith Machine Bench Press

Incline Smith Machine Bench Press demo video

Incline Smith Machine Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches the upper part of your chest. The barbell should touch higher than in a regular bench press.
  2. 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
  3. 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible 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 Smith Machine Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Smith Machine Bench Press exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Incline Smith Machine Bench Press?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions against 736 for Decline Dumbbell 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 Dumbbell Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press need?

Decline Dumbbell Bench Press needs a dumbbell, and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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