10 Best Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press Alternatives for Triceps
The Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press is done lying on your back with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Triceps Dip, the Body-up and Push-ups - Close Triceps Position.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Primary muscle
- Triceps
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Chest, Shoulders
How to perform Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip, palms facing away from you.
- Extend your arms straight up over your chest, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
- Lower the dumbbells down towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- As you lower the dumbbells, twist your wrists so that your palms face towards you at the bottom of the movement.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then reverse the movement by pressing the dumbbells back up to the starting position.
- As you press the dumbbells up, twist your wrists back to the starting position with palms facing away from you.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Twisting 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. Triceps Dip
80% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the triceps with bodyweight alone.
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- 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 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not lying on your back
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
2. Body-up
77% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by placing your hands on a raised surface, such as a bench or parallel bars, with your palms facing down and fingers pointing forward.
- Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then push through your palms to straighten your arms and lift 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: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

3. Push-ups - Close Triceps Position
77% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie on the floor face down and place your hands closer than shoulder width for a close hand position. Make sure that you are holding your torso up at arms' length.
- Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
- Using your triceps and some of 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 Twisting Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
4. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)
77% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge of the bench, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- 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 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
5. Bench Dip (Knees Bent)
76% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
- Slide your butt off the bench and straighten your legs in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- 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
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, not lying on your back

- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie on the floor and place your hands on an upright dumbbell. Supporting your weight on your toes and hands, keep your torso rigid and your elbows in with your arms straight. This will be your starting position.
- Lower your body, allowing the elbows to flex while you inhale. Keep your body straight, not allowing your hips to rise or sag.
- Press yourself back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Breathe out as you perform this step.
- After a 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 Twisting Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
7. Bench Dip On Floor
76% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
- 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: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, not lying on your back
8. Three Bench Dip
76% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Push yourself 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: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, not lying on your back
9. Side Push-up
72% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by lying on your side with your legs extended and stacked on top of each other.
- Place your bottom hand on the ground directly under your shoulder, fingers pointing forward.
- Press through your bottom hand to lift your body off the ground, keeping your legs straight and your core engaged.
- Extend your top arm straight up towards the ceiling, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
- Lower your body back down to the starting position with control.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
10. Diamond Push-up
72% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start in a high plank position with your hands close together, forming a diamond shape with your thumbs and index fingers.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe, engaging your core and glutes.
- Lower your chest towards the diamond shape formed by your hands, keeping your elbows 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 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press FAQ
What muscles does Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press work?
The movement primarily targets the triceps, especially under elbow extension torque, while also engaging the pecs and anterior deltoids. Maintain scapular retraction and a neutral wrist to optimize triceps activation and reduce shoulder shear.
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