Reverse Flyes
A beginner strength exercise for the shoulders, done with a dumbbell.
How to do the Reverse Flyes
- To begin, lie down on an incline bench with the chest and stomach pressing against the incline. Have the dumbbells in each hand with the palms facing each other (neutral grip).
- Extend the arms in front of you so that they are perpendicular to the angle of the bench. The legs should be stationary while applying pressure with the ball of your toes. This is the starting position.
- Maintaining the slight bend of the elbows, move the weights out and away from each other (to the side) in an arc motion while exhaling. Tip: Try to squeeze your shoulder blades together to get the best results from this exercise.
- The arms should be elevated until they are parallel to the floor.
- Feel the contraction and slowly lower the weights back down to the starting position while inhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps
| Muscle | 3–4 sets of 10–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds |
|---|---|
| Pump or finisher | 2–3 sets of 15–20 reps, rest 45–60 seconds |
Log every set in MyoStats and it works out your estimated one-rep max and suggests the next weight or rep target, so you keep progressing without guessing.
Alternatives to the Reverse Flyes
Alternating Deltoid RaiseDumbbell · Beginner
Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On BenchDumbbell · Beginner
Dumbbell Incline Shoulder RaiseDumbbell · Beginner
Dumbbell ScaptionDumbbell · Beginner
External RotationDumbbell · Beginner
Front Dumbbell RaiseDumbbell · Beginner
Front Incline Dumbbell RaiseDumbbell · Beginner
Front Two-Dumbbell RaiseDumbbell · Beginner
Questions
What muscles does the Reverse Flyes work?
Mainly the shoulders.
Is the Reverse Flyes good for beginners?
Yes. It's rated a beginner exercise: start light and learn the movement before adding weight.
What can I do instead of the Reverse Flyes?
Good alternatives that train the shoulders: Alternating Deltoid Raise, Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise With Head On Bench, Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise or Dumbbell Scaption.
How many sets and reps of the Reverse Flyes should I do?
Muscle: 3–4 sets of 10–15 reps, rest 60–90 seconds. Pump or finisher: 2–3 sets of 15–20 reps, rest 45–60 seconds.
Exercise steps and photos: free-exercise-db (public domain).

