Upper back exercises

Dumbbell Incline Bench Pull

Also known as: Tirage sur banc incliné avec haltères coudes ouverts · Κωπηλατική σε κεκλιμένο πάγκο με αλτήρες και ανοιχτούς αγκώνες · Incline Bench Pull · chest-supported rear delt row

Primary
Upper back
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Force
Pull
Suggested rest
1 min

How to do the Dumbbell Incline Bench Pull

  1. Grab a dumbbell in each hand and lie face down on an incline bench that is set to an incline that is approximately 30 degrees.

  2. Let the arms hang to your sides fully extended as they point to the floor.

  3. Turn the wrists until your hands have a pronated (palms down) grip.

  4. Now flare the elbows out. This will be your starting position.

  5. As you breathe out, start to pull the dumbbells up as if you are doing a reverse bench press. You will do this by bending at the elbows and bringing the upper arms up as you let the forearms hang. Continue this motion until the upper arms are at the same level as your back. Tip: The elbows will come out to the side and your upper arms and torso should make the letter "T" at the top of the movement. Hold the contraction at the top for a second.

  6. Slowly go back down to the starting position as you breathe in.

  7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 4 kg (10 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Upper back

Secondary

Lats, Shoulders

Rhomboids, mid traps and rear delts hold your shoulder blades in place. Rows, face pulls and reverse flyes build thickness and healthier shoulders.

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Dumbbell upper back exercises