Exercises · chest

Dumbbell Incline Hammer Press

An incline dumbbell press with a neutral grip that trains the upper chest, shoulders, and triceps.

chestpectoralsdumbbellbeginnercompound

Secondary muscles

shoulderstriceps

How to do it

  1. Set an incline bench and sit with a dumbbell in each hand on your thighs.
  2. Lie back on the bench and bring the dumbbells to chest height with your palms facing each other.
  3. Plant your feet, pull your shoulder blades back into the bench, and keep your wrists stacked over your elbows.
  4. Press the dumbbells upward until your arms are straight above your upper chest.
  5. Lower the dumbbells under control until they return to chest level with your palms still facing in.
  6. Repeat the press without bouncing the dumbbells off your chest or shoulders.

Form cues

  • Drive up over upper chest
  • Keep palms facing in
  • Pin shoulders to bench
  • Wrists stacked over elbows

Common mistakes

  • Flaring the elbows straight out to the sides
  • Letting the dumbbells drift back over the face
  • Banging the dumbbells together at the top
  • Arching the lower back and lifting the hips

Breathing

Inhale as you lower the dumbbells to chest level, and exhale as you press them up.

More chest exercises