10 Best Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover Alternatives for Chest Hypertrophy

The Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover is done lying on your back with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: Isometric Wipers, the Isometric Chest Squeeze and the Chest Dip (On Dip-pull-up Cage).

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover

Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
Primary muscle
Pectorals
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Lats, Shoulders, Triceps

How to perform Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
  1. Place a dumbbell standing up on a flat bench.
  2. Ensuring that the dumbbell stays securely placed at the top of the bench, lie perpendicular to the bench (torso across it as in forming a cross) with only your shoulders lying on the surface. Hips should be below the bench and legs bent with feet firmly on the floor. The head will be off the bench as well.
  3. Grasp the dumbbell with both hands and hold it straight over your chest with a bend in your arms. Both palms should be pressing against the underside one of the sides of the dumbbell. This will be your starting position. Caution: Always ensure that the dumbbell used for this exercise is secure. Using a dumbbell with loose plates can result in the dumbbell falling apart and falling on your face.
  4. While keeping your arms locked in the bent arm position, lower the weight slowly in an arc behind your head while breathing in until you feel a stretch on the chest.
  5. At that point, bring the dumbbell back to the starting position using the arc through which the weight was lowered and exhale as you perform this movement.
  6. Hold the weight on the initial position for a second and repeat the motion for the prescribed number of repetitions.
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Ranked Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    Isometric WipersPlay demonstration

    1. Isometric Wipers

    69% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the pectorals with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by lying flat on your back on a mat or bench.
    2. Extend your arms straight out to the sides, perpendicular to your body.
    3. Engage your core and lift both legs off the ground, keeping them together and straight.
    4. Slowly lower your legs to one side, aiming to touch the ground with your feet while maintaining control.
    5. Pause for a moment, then use your core to lift your legs back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat the movement, this time lowering your legs to the opposite side.
    7. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  2. Isometric Chest SqueezePlay demonstration

    2. Isometric Chest Squeeze

    68% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the ground, with your palms facing each other.
    3. Squeeze your chest muscles together as hard as you can, while keeping your arms straight.
    4. Hold this position for a few seconds, focusing on contracting your chest muscles.
    5. Release the squeeze and relax your chest muscles.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
  3. Chest Dip (On Dip-pull-up Cage)Play demonstration

    3. Chest Dip (On Dip-pull-up Cage)

    68% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the dip bars to a height that allows you to comfortably grip them.
    2. Stand between the bars and place your hands on each bar, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Jump up and straighten your arms, supporting your body weight on the bars.
    4. Bend your knees and cross your ankles behind you.
    5. Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping your chest up and your shoulders down.
    6. Continue lowering until your shoulders are below your elbows or until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    7. Push through your palms and extend your elbows to raise your body back up to the starting position.
    8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
  4. Incline Push-upPlay demonstration

    4. Incline Push-up

    67% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the elevated surface by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  5. Incline Push-up (On Box)Play demonstration

    5. Incline Push-up (On Box)

    67% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on the edge of a box or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the box by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
  6. Incline Push-up Medium

    6. Incline Push-up Medium

    67% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
    2. Place your hands on the bar, with your hands about shoulder width apart.
    3. Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. This will be your starting position.
    4. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
    5. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows, pressing yourself back up.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  7. Incline Push-up Wide

    7. Incline Push-up Wide

    67% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
    2. Place your hands on the bar, with your hands wider than shoulder width.
    3. Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. Your arms should be perpendicular to the body. This will be your starting position.
    4. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
    5. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows, pressing yourself back up.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  8. Incline Reverse Grip Push-upPlay demonstration

    8. Incline Reverse Grip Push-up

    67% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on the edge of a bench or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the bench by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  9. Wide Hand Push UpPlay demonstration

    9. Wide Hand Push Up

    67% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
    3. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    4. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
  10. Push-upPlay demonstration

    10. Push-up

    66% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
    2. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    3. Pause for a moment when your chest is just above the ground, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover FAQ

What muscles does Bent-arm Dumbbell Pullover work?

The bent-arm pullover primarily targets the pectoralis major and also engages the latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior depending on arm path. Elbow bend and humeral extension determine whether the chest or lats take more load; keep a slight elbow bend to bias the pecs.

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