10 Best Dumbbell Incline Fly Alternatives for Limited Equipment
The Dumbbell Incline Fly is done lying on your back with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Isometric Chest Squeeze, the Decline Push-up and the Clock Push-up.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Primary muscle
- Pectorals
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Isolation
Secondary muscles: Shoulders
How to perform Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Set an incline bench to a 45-degree angle.
- Sit on the bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
- Lie back on the bench and press the dumbbells up to the starting position, directly above your chest.
- Lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
- Pause for a moment, then squeeze your chest muscles to bring the dumbbells back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Dumbbell Incline Fly Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Incline Fly 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.
Best match 1. Isometric Chest Squeeze
67% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Isolation
Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the pectorals with bodyweight alone.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Extend your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the ground, with your palms facing each other.
- Squeeze your chest muscles together as hard as you can, while keeping your arms straight.
- Hold this position for a few seconds, focusing on contracting your chest muscles.
- Release the squeeze and relax your chest muscles.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
2. Decline Push-up
61% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Place your hands on the ground slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, with your feet elevated on a stable surface.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe, engaging your core muscles.
- Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
- Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Incline Fly
3. Clock Push-up
60% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a high plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your body in a straight line.
- Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
- As you lower, rotate your body to the left, extending your left arm straight out to the side.
- Push back up to the starting position, while rotating your body to the center.
- Repeat the push-up, this time rotating your body to the right and extending your right arm out to the side.
- Continue alternating sides with each repetition.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
4. Isometric Wipers
60% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by lying flat on your back on a mat or bench.
- Extend your arms straight out to the sides, perpendicular to your body.
- Engage your core and lift both legs off the ground, keeping them together and straight.
- Slowly lower your legs to one side, aiming to touch the ground with your feet while maintaining control.
- Pause for a moment, then use your core to lift your legs back to the starting position.
- Repeat the movement, this time lowering your legs to the opposite side.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
5. Chest Dip (On Dip-pull-up Cage)
59% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the dip bars to a height that allows you to comfortably grip them.
- Stand between the bars and place your hands on each bar, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Jump up and straighten your arms, supporting your body weight on the bars.
- Bend your knees and cross your ankles behind you.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping your chest up and your shoulders down.
- Continue lowering until your shoulders are below your elbows or until you feel a stretch in your chest.
- Push through your palms and extend your elbows to raise your body back up to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not lying on your back
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Incline Fly
6. Incline Push-up
57% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Place your hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
- Lower your chest towards the elevated surface by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
7. Incline Push-up (On Box)
57% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Place your hands on the edge of a box or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
- Lower your chest towards the box by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back

8. Incline Push-up Medium
57% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
- Place your hands on the bar, with your hands about shoulder width apart.
- Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. This will be your starting position.
- Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

9. Incline Push-up Wide
57% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
- Place your hands on the bar, with your hands wider than shoulder width.
- 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.
- Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
10. Incline Reverse Grip Push-up
57% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Place your hands on the edge of a bench or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
- Lower your chest towards the bench by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
- 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 Dumbbell Incline Fly
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
Dumbbell Incline Fly FAQ
What muscles does Dumbbell Incline Fly work?
The dumbbell incline fly primarily loads the clavicular (upper) head of the pectoralis major through horizontal adduction. It also recruits the anterior deltoid and pectoralis minor as stabilizers; keep a slight elbow bend to reduce excessive anterior deltoid contribution.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to Dumbbell Incline Fly?
A decline push-up (feet elevated) targets the upper chest by shifting the torso angle to emphasize the clavicular fibers. Cue a controlled descent, lead with the elbows at a 30–45° angle from the torso, and squeeze the chest at lockout to maximize pectoral activation.
Can I build muscle without doing Dumbbell Incline Fly?
Yes. You can achieve hypertrophy with presses and cable fly variations that produce similar horizontal adduction and progressive overload. Prioritize exercises that let you control tempo, increase load or reps, and maintain full chest contraction on each rep.
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