Decline Push Up vs Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press
Maximizing Your Chest Workout Plan
Contents
Decline Push Up is the easier place to start — difficulty 4 of 5 vs 5. Compare Chest form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Chest Workout: Explore the Benefits of Decline Push Up and Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Decline Push Up vs Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Decline Push Up more often — 877 sessions compared to 615 for Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Decline Push Up and Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Decline Push Up and Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Decline Push Up | Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 877 sessions | 615 sessions |
How to Decline Push Up
Decline Push Up muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Please lower down until just before your chest touches.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Engage your chest and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please go down only as much as you can without straining your shoulders.
- 2. Keep your core engaged to prevent your hips from dropping.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Decline Push Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Decline Push Up Guide page of our blog!
How to Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press
Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Keep your elbows close to your torso and slowly lower the dumbbells towards your chest.
- 2. When the dumbbells are near your chest, pause for a moment and feel the tension in your chest and triceps.
- 3. Using the strength of your chest and triceps, push the dumbbells back up to return to the starting position.
- 4. Do not fully extend your elbows; keep them slightly bent to maintain tension.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Keep your hands in a fixed position to prevent the dumbbell from shaking.
- 2. Keep your wrists straight to avoid bending.
- 3. Fix your back and hips to the bench to prevent excessive lifting of the back.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Decline Push Up or Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Chest, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Decline Push Up and Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press need?
Decline Push Up needs bodyweight only, and Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press needs a dumbbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Decline Push Up is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Dumbbell Bench Press once your form holds up.
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