Exercise The Right Way - The Decline Dumbbell Bench Press


Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders' training regimes.

It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.

In this article we'll take a close look at the decline dumbbell bench press.

MUSCLES TARGETED: pectoralis major, anterior deltoids

STARTING POSITION

Sitting at the high end of a decline bench, make sure that ankles and feet are secured under the pads.

Grasp two dumbbells using an overhand grip.

Set the dumbbells in an upright position on your knees.

Lie on the decline bench whilst simultaneously bringing the dumbbells to the side of your chest on either side.

Raise the dumbbells to arm's length with the palms facing forward. Do not lock out the elbows.

This starting position sees the dumbbells touching each other, directly above the chest.

EXERCISE TECHNIQUE

Slowly bend the arms to lower the dumbbells to a postion on either side of the chest. You should achieve a maximum stretch at this point.

Raise the dumbbells slowly to the starting position.

Repeat this movement until you complete the intended number of reps.

OTHER EXERCISES WORTH CONSIDERING

The Decline Barbell Bench Press places a similar emphasis on the lower part of the pectoralis major and the anterior deltoids. Other useful chest exercises have a slightly different emphasis and these include Push-Ups (mid chest), Flat Dumbbell Bench Press (mid chest), Flat Barbell Bench Press (mid chest),Flat Dumbbell Flys (mid chest), Incline Dumbbell Bench Press (upper chest), Incline Barbell Bench Press (upper chest), Incline Dumbbell Flys (upper chest) and Cable Crossovers (lower and mid chest).

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Building Muscle Information:

Related Articles

Arm Training - Building Muscle for Bulging Bis and Tris
Let's face it, most guys who start lifting want two things - a big bench and big arms. So in this issue we're going to talk about bi's and tri's and I'll share a very effective routine for adding inches to your arms in a very short amount of time.
Body Building Mind Games: Dont Let Your Weight Determine Your Mood!
Is the 'I Feel Fat Day' (IFFD) syndrome affecting your output? That extra flab can overpower you and your work. Thee feeling of being fat can morph into an emotion like 'happy' or 'angry'.
Gaining Muscle Mass
This article will discuss how to gain weight naturally muscle building. Gaining weight naturally is about muscle building and using a mass building diet daily.
Personal Lactate Threshold Training
These are not the reasons we do Lactate Threshold Training.What is it?When muscles contract vigorously for long periods, the circulatory system begins to lose ground in delivery of oxygen (necessary for energy production).
Muscle-Building Exercises and Growth-Boosters
I have 'emerged' some subtle bodybuilding techniques that infuse rapid muscle-growth to any trainee. You see, the "factor of top intensity levels" in combination with "aggressive workouts that expel pure testosterone bursts", is the key to a fantastic muscular development.
Who Else Wants To Build Muscle Fast?
I see it all the time. Guys in the gym doing set after set of all these different exercises, and if you looked at these samepeople 3 months from now they have not really changed physicallyall that much, maybe a little more toned but nothing reallynoticeable.
Body Part Isolation vs. Complex Movements in Strength Training - Build Real Muscle Instead of Fake!
Working as a fitness professional, there is one type of question I get all the time that shows that many people are missing the big picture regarding the benefits of strength training. This popular question usually goes something like this:"What exercise can I do to isolate my _______ (insert your muscle of choice - abs, quads, biceps, triceps, etc)?"It doesn't matter which muscle someone is asking about, they always seem to be asking how to 'isolate' it.
Anabolic Hormones - A Two-Edged Sword
When I was a young boy, emerging muscles were the coolest thing. If a vein popped out a little, that was even more awesome.
Know Your Muscle Building Exercises - The Back
Every bodybuilder and weight trainer will have his or her favorite exercises for each body part. That's how it should be - as you progress through the various stages of learning you'll understand what works best for you.
Shoulder Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders
The main shoulder muscles that concern bodybuilders are the deltoids and although they work closely with the arms and chest muscles, it is possible to isolate the delts in a training session. Unlike other body parts though, the shoulder is not designed for heavy lifting in all directions so beginners need to take care and use lighter weights than usual for shoulder-isolating exercises.
Chest Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders
The chest area is one of the easist muscle groups for beginning bodybuilders to strengthen and develop. It consists of a large muscle (pectoralis major) to either side of the breastbone and a smaller muscle (pectoralis minor) underneath.
Exercise The Right Way - The Stiff-Leg Deadlift
Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders' training regimes.
Exercise The Right Way - The Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuiders' training regimes.
How To Avoid Injury From Poor Exercise Performance!
Another key secret is your exercise form. Perfect form is critical when performing any specific exercise in your own routine.
Are You Too Old to Pump Iron?
Are you too old for weight lifting? Will weight lifting helpyou stay and look younger? The answer to the first question is no and to the second is a resounding yes. Weight lifting will help both men and women stay fit and supple and might even help you look younger.
Outer Triceps Workout
The outer triceps is an awesome muscle. It sticks out like a slab of muscle on your outer arm and makes your arm look thick from the front.
The Default Rep Range
I had an hour long conversation with Pavel Tsatsouline on Sunday and per usual his probing questions churned up some things that I had forgotten. One thing that he asked was, "Over the years, was there a single repetition range that you preferred?" What was 'normal' for me? Put another way, what single rep range did I use most often in my weight training and why? Without hesitation I said 5-rep sets.
Know All about Power Push Ups
Push ups are the most convenient way to build up yourchest, shoulders, arms and upper back. It can be performedat any place, and you don't need to carry your gym with youwherever you go.
Build More Muscle Mass And Strength Without Supplements
Who should use this method to build muscle quickly?If you're serious about your fitness or weight loss, you hate the idea that you're not making the most of every workout. For those of us with long work-days and kids, there's no time or physical energy to waste.
Personal Training: 3 Powerful Ways to Position Yourself as an Expert
Regardless of what profession you are in, it is critical that people believe that you know what you are talking about! You won't find very many successful lawyers whose clients never win in court, or popular doctors whose patients are continually misdiagnosed. This concept obviously applies to personal trainers as well, and making sure you are viewed as an expert in your field is as important as having the knowledge to begin with.