Dumbbell Alternate Bench Press (high start)

Perform the Dumbbell Alternate Bench Press with a high start position to target your chest and triceps effectively.

  1. Lie on a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand, arms extended above your chest.
  2. Lower one dumbbell towards your chest while keeping the other arm extended.
  3. Push the lowered dumbbell back to the starting position while simultaneously lowering the other dumbbell.
  4. Continue alternating between arms for the desired number of repetitions.

How to perform the Dumbbell Alternate Bench Press (high start)

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Dumbbell Alternate Bench Press (high start) using your dumbbell.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your triceps.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your triceps rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

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