Incline Dumbbell Bench Press vs Incline Smith Machine Bench Press

Which one fits your Chest workout plan?

Contents

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 3. Compare Chest form cues and when to progress.

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

Incline 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 Dumbbell Bench Press more often — 26,837 sessions compared to 15,214 for Incline Smith Machine Bench Press.

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

What differsIncline Dumbbell Bench PressIncline Smith Machine Bench Press
Equipmenta dumbbella machine
Difficulty2 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users26,837 sessions15,214 sessions

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

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

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, Incline Dumbbell Bench Press or Incline Smith Machine 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 Incline Dumbbell Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press need?

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

Which is easier to start with?

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

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