10 Best Hyght Dumbbell Fly Alternatives for Chest Training

The Hyght Dumbbell Fly is done lying on your back with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: Bodyweight Flyes, the Dumbbell Decline Fly and the Dumbbell Fly.

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

Original Exercise: Hyght Dumbbell Fly

Primary muscle
Pectorals
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Shoulders

How to perform Hyght Dumbbell Fly
  1. Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
  2. Extend your arms straight up over your chest, with a slight bend in your elbows.
  3. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
  4. Pause for a moment, then reverse the movement and bring the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked Hyght Dumbbell Fly Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Hyght Dumbbell 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.

    • Pectorals
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the pectorals.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on a decline bench with your feet secured and your head lower than your hips.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing each other and your arms extended above your chest.
    3. Lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    4. Pause for a moment, then squeeze your chest muscles to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Pectorals
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
    2. Extend your arms straight up over your chest, with a slight bend in your elbows.
    3. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, lower your arms out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    4. Pause for a moment, then reverse the movement and bring the dumbbells back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
  1. Incline Dumbbell Flyes
    • Pectorals
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hold a dumbbell on each hand and lie on an incline bench that is set to an incline angle of no more than 30 degrees.
    2. Extend your arms above you with a slight bend at the elbows.
    3. Now rotate the wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing you. Tip: The pinky fingers should be next to each other. This will be your starting position.
    4. As you breathe in, start to slowly lower the arms to the side while keeping the arms extended and while rotating the wrists until the palms of the hand are facing each other. Tip: At the end of the movement the arms will be by your side with the palms facing the ceiling.
    5. As you exhale start to bring the dumbbells back up to the starting position by reversing the motion and rotating the hands so that the pinky fingers are next to each other again. Tip: Keep in mind that the movement will only happen at the shoulder joint and at the wrist. There is no motion that happens at the elbow joint.
    6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Pectorals
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie down on a decline bench with your head lower than your hips.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing each other and your arms extended straight up over your chest.
    3. Lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    4. As you lower the dumbbells, twist your wrists so that your palms face forward at the bottom of the movement.
    5. Reverse the motion and bring the dumbbells back up to the starting position, squeezing your chest muscles at the top.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
  2. Incline Dumbbell Flyes - With A Twist
    • Pectorals
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and lie on an incline bench that is set to an incline angle of no more than 30 degrees.
    2. Extend your arms above you with a slight bend at the elbows.
    3. Now rotate the wrists so that the palms of your hands are facing you. Tip: The pinky fingers should be next to each other. This will be your starting position.
    4. As you breathe in, start to slowly lower the arms to the side while keeping the arms extended and while rotating the wrists until the palms of the hand are facing each other. Tip: At the end of the movement the arms will be by your side with the palms facing the ceiling.
    5. As you exhale start to bring the dumbbells back up to the starting position by reversing the motion and rotating the hands so that the pinky fingers are next to each other again. Tip: Keep in mind that the movement will only happen at the shoulder joint and at the wrist. There is no motion that happens at the elbow joint.
    6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
  3. Decline Dumbbell Flyes
    • Pectorals
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the pectorals.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Secure your legs at the end of the decline bench and lie down with a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand will be facing each other.
    2. Once you are laying down, move the dumbbells in front of you at shoulder width. The palms of the hands should be facing each other and the arms should be perpendicular to the floor and fully extended. This will be your starting position.
    3. With a slight bend on your elbows in order to prevent stress at the biceps tendon, lower your arms out at both sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch on your chest. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Keep in mind that throughout the movement, the arms should remain stationary; the movement should only occur at the shoulder joint.
    4. Return your arms back to the starting position as you squeeze your chest muscles and breathe out. Tip: Make sure to use the same arc of motion used to lower the weights.
    5. Hold for a second at the contracted position and repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Pectorals
    • Stability-ball
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on an exercise ball and hold a dumbbell in each hand.
    2. Walk your feet forward and roll your body down until your head, neck, and upper back are supported by the ball.
    3. Extend your arms straight up above your chest, palms facing each other.
    4. Bend your elbows slightly and lower your arms out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    5. Pause for a moment, then reverse the movement and squeeze your chest muscles as you bring the dumbbells back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Pectorals
    • Stability-ball
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
    2. Sit on an exercise ball and roll forward until your upper back is resting on the incline bench.
    3. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing each other and your arms extended above your chest.
    4. Lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    5. Pause for a moment, then squeeze your chest muscles to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Pectorals
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set an incline bench to a 45-degree angle.
    2. Sit on the bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
    3. Lie back on the bench and press the dumbbells up to the starting position, directly above your chest.
    4. Lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    5. Pause for a moment, then squeeze your chest muscles to bring the dumbbells back up to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Hyght Dumbbell Fly

Why You Might Need a Hyght Dumbbell Fly Alternative

You might substitute the Hyght Dumbbell Fly because of shoulder pain from excessive end-range stretch, lack of specific equipment, or a need for more progressive overload. Some lifters prefer compound pressing to load the pecs while reducing isolated tensile stress on the anterior shoulder. Choose alternatives that preserve horizontal adduction and scapular stability; for example, shorten range of motion to limit the bottom stretch and cue scapular retraction to protect the rotator cuff. Substitutes can also improve strength transfer by allowing heavier loads or unilateral work to correct side-to-side imbalances.

Hyght Dumbbell Fly FAQ

What muscles does Hyght Dumbbell Fly work?

The Hyght Dumbbell Fly primarily targets the pectoralis major through horizontal adduction and midline compression. It also recruits the anterior deltoid for shoulder flexion and the rotator cuff and serratus anterior for scapular stability; cue a slight elbow bend and chest-driven adduction to emphasize pec loading.

Can I build muscle without doing Hyght Dumbbell Fly?

Yes. You can build chest muscle with compound presses, dips, and progressive overload using dumbbells, cables, or bands. Prioritize exercises that produce horizontal adduction and progressive loading, and use controlled eccentrics and higher time under tension to drive hypertrophy.

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