What exercise is recommended for increasing bench press maximum?

The recommended exercise for increasing bench press maximum is the dumbbell incline bench press. This exercise is effective because it targets the upper portions of the pectoral muscles, deltoids, and triceps, which are crucial for maximizing strength in the flat bench press. By utilizing dumbbells, this variation also promotes better muscle balance and coordination between both arms, allowing for greater recruitment of stabilizing muscles.

In addition to engaging the primary muscles used in the flat bench press, the incline position shifts some emphasis to the upper chest and shoulders. This helps in developing overall pressing strength, which can contribute to improvements in the flat bench press performance. The incline angle enables a different range of motion, thus enhancing muscle growth and strength.

While the other exercises listed can also contribute to chest development, they do not target the necessary upper pectoral engagement and stabilization as effectively as the dumbbell incline bench press does for increasing the maximum in bench press strength.