10 Best Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press Alternatives for Home Gyms
The Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press is done lying on your back with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Push-up, Pushups (Close And Wide Hand Positions) and the Modified Hindu Push-up.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle
- Pectorals
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Triceps, Shoulders
How to perform Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip, palms facing towards your feet.
- Extend your arms straight up towards the ceiling, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
- Slowly lower the dumbbells towards your chest, allowing your elbows to flare out to the sides.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the dumbbells back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press 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. Push-up
77% 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
- Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
- Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
- 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.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie on the floor face down and body straight with your toes on the floor and the hands wider than shoulder width for a wide hand position and closer than shoulder width for a close hand position. Make sure you are holding your torso up at arms length.
- Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
- Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position and squeeze your chest. Breathe out as you perform this step.
- After a second pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
3. Modified Hindu Push-up
77% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
- Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
- As you lower your body, shift your weight back and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body.
- Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground, then reverse the movement, pushing your hips back down and extending your arms to 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
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back

4. Push-up Wide
77% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- With your hands wide apart, support your body on your toes and hands in a plank position. Your elbows should be extended and your body straight. Do not allow your hips to sag. This will be your starting position.
- To begin, allow the elbows to flex, lowering your chest to the floor as you inhale.
- Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Exhale as you perform this step.
- After pausing at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

5. Pushups
77% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart while holding your torso up at arms length.
- Next, lower yourself downward until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
- Now breathe out and press your upper body back up to the starting position while squeezing your chest.
- After a brief pause at the top contracted position, you can begin to lower yourself downward again for as many repetitions as needed.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
6. Chest Dip On Straight Bar
77% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Grab the parallel bars with your palms facing down and your arms fully extended.
- Bend your knees and cross your ankles.
- Lower your body by bending your arms until your shoulders are below your elbows.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening 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 Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not lying on your back
7. Push And Pull Bodyweight
77% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
- Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
- Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
- From the push-up position, pull your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.
- 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 Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
8. Push-up On Lower Arms
77% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a plank position with your forearms on the ground and elbows directly below your shoulders.
- Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
- Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
- 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
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
9. Drop Push Up
76% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Once your chest is just above the ground, quickly drop your knees to the ground.
- 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
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
10. Pike-to-cobra Push-up
76% match- Pectorals
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
- Engage your core and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, forming an inverted V shape with your body.
- Lower your upper body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
- As you lower down, shift your weight forward and transition into a cobra pose by straightening your arms and lifting your chest up.
- Reverse the movement by bending your elbows and lowering your chest back down towards the ground.
- Push through your hands to return to the inverted V position.
- Continue the movement by lowering your hips back down towards the ground, returning to the starting push-up position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
Why You Might Need a Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press Alternative
You might substitute the Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press for several reasons: shoulder pain with the specific grip or bench angle, lack of a flat bench or appropriate dumbbell weight, or a need for unilateral work to fix strength imbalances. Biomechanically, slight changes in press angle alter clavicular vs. sternal pec activation and shoulder rotation demands. If your shoulders flare or you lose scapular stability, choose a neutral-grip or floor-based press to shorten ROM and reduce impingement. Cue: keep elbows at ~30 degrees from the torso and retract the scapula to maximize pectoral loading while protecting the rotator cuff.
Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press FAQ
What muscles does Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press work?
The exercise primarily targets the pectoralis major, with secondary loading of the anterior deltoid and triceps. Grip and bench angle shift emphasis between clavicular (upper) and sternal (mid/lower) pec fibers, and scapular stabilization recruits the serratus anterior and rhomboids.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to Dumbbell Reverse Bench Press?
A weighted or elevated-feet push-up is the top bodyweight substitute because it replicates horizontal pressing mechanics and high pectoral activation. Cue: keep a tight plank line, retract the scapula at the top, and lower with a 2-3 second eccentric to maintain chest tension.
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