Close Grip Incline Dumbbell Press

The close grip incline dumbbell press is an upper-chest press performed with the palms facing each other and the dumbbells held side by side, a neutral grip that shifts a large share of the load onto the triceps. The incline angle points the working line toward the clavicular head of the pecs, the section that flat pressing tends to underdevelop. Keeping the dumbbells close together forces the arms to stay tucked, which spares the front of the shoulder compared with a wide barbell press. Most lifters need noticeably less weight here than on a standard incline press, so drop the load and judge the set by how the upper chest and triceps feel rather than by the number stamped on the dumbbell. It slots in well as a second pressing movement on push day, in the range of eight to twelve reps per set.