Chest · Dumbbells

Dumbbell chest exercises

9 exercises from the diary's catalog, all with photos. Below are the list and a sample chest workout: compounds first, then isolation.

9 exercises

Dumbbell Bench PressDumbbell Bench PressDumbbellsIncline Dumbbell PressIncline Dumbbell PressDumbbellsDumbbell FlyDumbbell FlyDumbbellsDecline Dumbbell PressDecline Dumbbell PressDumbbellsIncline Dumbbell FlyIncline Dumbbell FlyDumbbells
Neutral-Grip Dumbbell Bench PressNeutral-Grip Dumbbell Bench PressDumbbells
Neutral-Grip Incline Dumbbell PressNeutral-Grip Incline Dumbbell PressDumbbells
Decline Dumbbell FlyesDecline Dumbbell FlyesDumbbells
Dumbbell Floor PressDumbbell Floor PressDumbbells

Sample workout

Templatechest workout

Four exercises from the list: compounds first, then isolation. It's a template for one day; how many sets a muscle needs per week is in the volume guide, and how to progress is in the progressive overload guide.

Why dumbbells

Dumbbells give each arm its own path and its own weight: your strong side can't carry the weak one, and any difference shows right away. The range is usually bigger than with a barbell, and a pair of dumbbells and a bench is enough to start — so these chest exercises work at home too.

The downside is the weight ceiling: heavy dumbbells are hard to get into position, and jumps are 2 kg per hand rather than 1 kg on the bar. When the weight climbs slowly, add reps instead — double progression is made for dumbbells.

Log your workouts — I'll show how many sets a week you give this group.

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