Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Video Tutorial & Exercise Guide

Author Claude Michael

Written By: Claude Michael

Updated: Oct 13, 2024

Workout Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press
Primary Muscle Group Chest
Secondary Muscle Group Triceps
Equipment Required Exercise Ball, Dumbbell, Bench
Force Type Push
Mechanics Compound
Exercise Type Strength
Difficulty Intermediate

Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Video Tutorial & Exercise Guide

Muscle Groups

Primary Muscle Group

Chest Muscle Exercises

Secondary Muscles Group

Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Step-by-Step Guide

  • Step 1: Sit on an exercise ball with a dumbbell in each hand. Walk your feet forward until your upper back and shoulders rest on the ball, forming a bridge with your body. Keep your feet flat on the floor, your hips lifted, and your core engaged.
  • Step 2: Hold the dumbbells over your chest with your palms facing forward, and your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. This will be your starting position.
  • Step 3: Press the dumbbells upward by extending your arms until they are fully extended above your chest, without locking your elbows.
  • Step 4: Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position, keeping control of the movement and ensuring your elbows don't drop below chest level.
  • Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions while maintaining stability through your core and lower body.

Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Overview

The Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press is an effective chest exercise that targets the pectoral muscles with an added focus on stability and core engagement. By using an exercise ball instead of a traditional incline bench, you activate your stabilizer muscles, particularly in your core, glutes, and legs, while performing the press. The incline angle shifts more emphasis onto the upper chest compared to a flat bench press.

This exercise is ideal for improving upper-body strength and muscle coordination, while also offering a functional fitness challenge that involves the whole body.

Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Benefits

This exercise primarily targets the upper chest (pectorals) and shoulders, while also engaging the triceps. The added instability from the exercise ball forces the core, glutes, and legs to work harder, making this a full-body movement. This exercise is great for developing upper-body strength, improving balance, and promoting muscular coordination.

Additionally, the exercise ball provides more mobility and reduces stress on the lower back, making this a suitable exercise for individuals who need a lower-impact chest press variation.

Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Pro Tips & Advanced Techniques

Focus on keeping your hips elevated and core engaged throughout the movement to maintain stability. Avoid letting your elbows drop too low, as this can put strain on the shoulders. For an added challenge, slow down the lowering phase of the movement to increase time under tension. You can also increase the difficulty by using heavier weights or by performing the exercise with one arm at a time to further challenge your core and balance.

Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Progression Plan

Beginner

Sets: 2-3
Reps: 8-10
Progression Tips: Start with light dumbbells to master form and focus on maintaining stability with the exercise ball.

Intermediate

Sets: 3
Reps: 10-12
Progression Tips: Gradually increase the weight while ensuring proper form and controlled movement throughout the exercise.

Advanced

Sets: 4
Reps: 12-15
Progression Tips: Use heavier weights, slow down the eccentric phase, or add a pause at the top for greater muscle engagement and balance control.

Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What muscles does the Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press target?

+

This exercise primarily targets the upper chest (pectorals), shoulders, and triceps, while also engaging the core, glutes, and stabilizer muscles.

Can beginners perform the Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press?

+

Yes, beginners can perform this exercise with light dumbbells to focus on mastering form and building stability before progressing to heavier weights.

How can I make the Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press more challenging?

+

Increase the weight, slow down the lowering phase, or perform the exercise unilaterally (one arm at a time) to increase the difficulty and challenge your balance and core engagement.

What common mistakes should I avoid during the Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press?

+

Avoid letting your hips drop during the movement. Keep your core tight and hips elevated to maintain stability, and ensure your elbows don't drop too low to prevent shoulder strain.

How often should I include the Exercise Ball Incline Dumbbell Chest Press in my routine?

+

Include this exercise 1-2 times per week as part of your upper-body or chest workout to build strength and improve balance.

Releted Exercises