Replacing half my bench pressing with incline dumbbell pressing ??

[Kracken]

I'm currently doing an upper lower split, with upper on Tuesday and Friday. Both days I do bench pressing 5 sets of 5. I am considering replacing one of those with incline dumbbell press to hit the top of my chest harder. I'm wondering if that will leave both exercises with insufficient volume for strength increase or if it will still work my whole chest, although perhaps more slowly?

 

[wells14]

If you're not competing in bench press I don't see any point in doing it unless you enjoy it. I dropped it completely for 45deg DB press and found my chest responds far better to it.

 

[LeCyclist]

I dropped it completely for 45deg DB press and found my chest responds far better to it.

same. And shoulders are far happier about it to boot.

Being able to vary and influence contribution simply by changing angle of elbow flare is a pretty nice plus for DBs.

 

[buck]

I quit straight bar pressing a few years into my bodybuilding. Weren't doing much for my chest but they were wearing out my shoulders. I found DB and weighted dips did more for my chest. Haven't laid under a bar in decades.

 

[Kracken]

Okay! I just got back from the gym. They changed the cages and no longer have straight safety bars, just slings for squatting. Bad day, got myself pinned. Very embarrassing.

Setting that aside, I'll take the advice y'all gave me and completely replace my bench press with incline dumbbell press. There are many advantages to that beyond the physical ones.

I recently had rotator cuff surgery, and although my shoulder has never felt better I don't want to mess it up again. I do need stronger arms and chest for my sports and I can do incline DB press at home. So all good.

Follow up if you guys don't mind: Will incline DB press work my arms much? Or will I need to add something for that? I do not compete, I'm just looking to stay strong for sports. I tend to ward compound movements for efficiency.