10 Best Dumbbell Incline Breeding Alternatives for Limited Equipment

Ranked Dumbbell Incline Breeding Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Incline Breeding 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

   Play demonstration

   1. Dumbbell Incline Bench Press

   99% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   It uses the same equipment and still works the pectorals.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
   2. Sit on the bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed firmly against the bench.
   3. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward, and lift them to shoulder height.
   4. Slowly lower the dumbbells to the sides of your chest, keeping your elbows at a 90-degree angle.
   5. Push the dumbbells back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
2. Play demonstration

   2. Barbell Incline Bench Press

   99% match

   • Pectorals
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the pectorals.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
   2. Lie down on the bench with your feet flat on the ground.
   3. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   4. Unrack the barbell and lower it slowly towards your chest, keeping your elbows at a 45-degree angle.
   5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the barbell back up to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
3. 

   3. Barbell Incline Bench Press - Medium Grip

   99% match

   • Pectorals
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie back on an incline bench. Using a medium-width grip (a grip that creates a 90-degree angle in the middle of the movement between the forearms and the upper arms), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.
   2. As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on you upper chest.
   3. After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, squeeze your chest, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: it should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
   4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
   5. When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
4. Play demonstration

   4. Dumbbell Palms In Incline Bench Press

   95% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   The same equipment, taken with a neutral grip.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
   2. Sit on the bench with your back against the backrest and feet flat on the ground.
   3. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip, palms facing inwards.
   4. Extend your arms straight up above your chest, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
   5. Lower the dumbbells slowly towards your shoulders, keeping your elbows close to your body.
   6. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then press the dumbbells back up to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
5. 

   5. Hammer Grip Incline DB Bench Press

   95% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie back on an incline bench with a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand will be facing each other.
   2. By using your thighs to help you get the dumbbells up, clean the dumbbells one arm at a time so that you can hold them at shoulder width.
   3. Once at shoulder width, keep the palms of your hands with a neutral grip (palms facing each other). Keep your elbows flared out with the upper arms in line with the shoulders (perpendicular to the torso) and the elbows bent creating a 90-degree angle between the upper arm and the forearm. This will be your starting position.
   4. Now bring down the weights slowly to your side as you breathe in. Keep full control of the dumbbells at all times.
   5. As you breathe out, push the dumbbells up using your pectoral muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
   6. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
   7. When you are done, place the dumbbells back in your thighs and then on the floor. This is the safest manner to dispose of the dumbbells.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
6. Play demonstration

   6. Barbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Press

   95% match

   • Pectorals
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
   2. Lie down on the bench with your feet flat on the ground.
   3. Grasp the barbell with a reverse grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   4. Unrack the barbell and lower it slowly towards your chest, keeping your elbows tucked in.
   5. Pause for a moment when the barbell touches your chest.
   6. Push the barbell back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
7. 

   7. Incline Dumbbell Bench With Palms Facing In

   94% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Pick this when you want to work the pectorals with more balance to manage.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie back on an incline bench with a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand will be facing each other.
   2. By using your thighs to help you get the dumbbells up, clean the dumbbells one arm at a time so that you can hold them at shoulder width.
   3. Once at shoulder width, keep the palms of your hands with a neutral grip (palms facing each other). Keep your elbows flared out with the upper arms in line with the shoulders (perpendicular to the torso) and the elbows bent creating a 90-degree angle between the upper arm and the forearm. This will be your starting position.
   4. Now bring down the weights slowly to your side as you breathe in. Keep full control of the dumbbells at all times.
   5. As you breathe out, push the dumbbells up using your pectoral muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
   6. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
   7. When you are done, place the dumbbells back in your thighs and then on the floor. This is the safest manner to dispose of the dumbbells.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
8. Play demonstration

   8. Dumbbell Incline Hammer Press

   91% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set an incline bench to a 45-degree angle and sit on it with a dumbbell in each hand, resting on your thighs.
   2. Lie back on the bench and position the dumbbells at shoulder level with your palms facing each other.
   3. Press the dumbbells up and away from your body until your arms are fully extended.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
9. Play demonstration

   9. Dumbbell Incline Palm-in Press

   91% match

   • Pectorals
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
   2. Sit on the bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
   3. Plant your feet firmly on the ground and keep your back straight against the bench.
   4. Start with the dumbbells at shoulder level, elbows bent and palms facing each other.
   5. Press the dumbbells up and away from your body, extending your arms fully.
   6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
   • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
10. Play demonstration

    10. Cable Incline Bench Press

    90% match

    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Adjust the bench to a 45-degree incline.
    2. Attach the cable handles to the high pulleys.
    3. Sit on the bench facing the cable machine with your feet flat on the ground.
    4. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and bring them to shoulder height.
    5. Push the handles forward and upward until your arms are fully extended.
    6. Pause for a moment, then slowly lower the handles back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches

    • Movement: incline press, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding
    • Equipment: a cable, not free weights
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Breeding