The incline straight-arm pullover works the pectorals, but it also engages the lats, delts, biceps, and triceps. This exercise is all about strength and pushing the muscles.
To perform the incline straight-arm pullover variation, use an incline bench set at a comfortable angle, between 30° and 45° is ideal. Start with the dumbbell overhead, arms stretched but not locked. Use a controlled motion to move the dumbbell over the head and come to a stop over the face and neck. Hold for a second or two and then return to the starting position.
The most common mistake with the incline straight-arm pullover variation is lack of control. Every motion should be smooth and controlled to engage the muscles at every stage.
The incline straight-arm pullover is popular among intermediate lifters seeking a challenging way to access accessory muscles and shake up their chest workout. Start with a heavy dumbbell, but not too heavy that it can be controlled. Start with 1 to 3 sets of 5 to 8 reps.