Exercise guide
Dumbbell Lying Bench Poliquin Fly
- Intermediate
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Chest
- Shoulders
The Poliquin Fly utilizes a mechanical advantage shift to overload the eccentric phase, using a wide fly motion to lower the weight and a narrow press to lift it. This allows for heavier loading of the pectorals and anterior deltoids during the muscle-building stretch phase.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet planted firmly on the floor for stability.
- Hold a pair of dumbbells directly over your chest with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
- Retract your shoulder blades into the bench and maintain a slight natural arch in your lower back.
- Start with the weights touching or nearly touching at arm's length.
How to do it
- Inhale and lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide, controlled arc (fly motion), keeping only a slight bend in the elbows.
- Continue the eccentric phase for a 3-4 second count until you feel a deep stretch in your chest.
- At the bottom of the movement, pull your elbows in toward your ribs to transition the dumbbells into a neutral-grip press position.
- Exhale and press the dumbbells vertically back to the starting position using a short lever (pressing motion).
Form checklist
- Keep your shoulder blades pinned back and down throughout the entire set.
- Do not allow the dumbbells to drop below the level of the bench to protect the shoulder joints.
- Ensure the transition from the fly to the press is smooth and controlled.
- Maintain a consistent tempo, emphasizing the slow lowering phase.
Pro tips
- Focus on the 'mind-muscle connection' during the wide lowering phase, as this is where the most muscle fiber recruitment occurs.
- Select a weight that is roughly 10-20% heavier than what you would use for a standard dumbbell fly to take advantage of the mechanical overload.
Make it harder
- Add a 2-second isometric pause at the bottom of the fly phase before tucking the elbows to press.
- Slow the eccentric (lowering) phase down to a full 5-6 seconds to maximize time under tension.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the dumbbell lying bench poliquin fly work?
- The dumbbell lying bench poliquin fly primarily targets the pectorals, and also works the triceps as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the dumbbell lying bench poliquin fly?
- The dumbbell lying bench poliquin fly uses dumbbell.
- Is the dumbbell lying bench poliquin fly good for beginners?
- The dumbbell lying bench poliquin fly is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.