Dumbbell Fly vs Bench Press

Maximizing Your Chest Workout Plan

Contents

Bench Press works multiple joints at once, Dumbbell Fly isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 4. See which fits your Chest day.

Customize Your Chest Workout: Explore the Benefits of Dumbbell Fly and Bench Press for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Dumbbell Fly vs Bench Press : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Bench Press more often — 38,526 sessions compared to 6,111 for Dumbbell Fly.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Dumbbell Fly and 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 Dumbbell Fly and Bench Press Differ

What differsDumbbell FlyBench Press
Muscles workedchest, biceps, and front deltschest, triceps, and front delts
Equipmenta dumbbella barbell
Difficulty4 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users6,111 sessions38,526 sessions
Not sure whether Dumbbell Fly or Bench Press fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Dumbbell Fly

Dumbbell Fly gif

Dumbbell Fly muscles worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slightly bend your arms and lower the dumbbells to chest height.
  2. 2. Slowly lift the dumbbells back to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please use light weights as this exercise can put strain on your shoulders.
  2. 2. If you experience shoulder pain, please stop and switch to another exercise.
  3. 3. Be careful not to fully extend your arms.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Dumbbell Fly, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Dumbbell Fly Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Dumbbell Fly methods?Exercise Guide

How to Bench Press

Bench Press gif

Bench Press muscles worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches below your chest.
  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 Comment

  1. 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible without overexerting yourself.
  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.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Bench Press Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Bench Press methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Chest, Dumbbell Fly or Bench Press?

Planfit users log Bench Press more often — 38,526 sessions against 6,111 for Dumbbell Fly. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Dumbbell Fly and Bench Press work the same muscles?

Not quite. Dumbbell Fly loads chest, biceps, and front delts, and Bench Press loads chest, triceps, and front delts.

What equipment do Dumbbell Fly and Bench Press need?

Dumbbell Fly needs a dumbbell, and Bench Press needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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