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Dumbbell fly

Dumbbells and bench

Primary muscles

Secondary muscles

Opens the arms in an arc with the elbows nearly fixed, isolating the chest's role of bringing the arms together.

Form cues

  • Slight bend in the elbows
  • Lower until a stretch in the chest
  • Hug a barrel on the way up
Full dumbbell fly guide →

What each muscle does in the dumbbell fly

MuscleRoleAction
Pectoralis majorPrimaryFlexes, adducts and medially rotates the arm
Anterior deltoidSecondaryFlexes and medially rotates the arm at the shoulder
Biceps brachiiSecondaryFlexes the elbow and supinates the forearm

Primary muscles are the prime movers; secondary muscles assist or stabilise. The balance shifts with grip, stance, range of motion and technique.

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