Incline Bench Press
The incline bench press is a variation of the standard bench press that targets your upper chest muscles. The basic exercise is
the same, but the difference is that an incline bench press is performed with the bench set at about a thirty degree incline. The
change in angle works the upper chest and shoulders harder.
Most lifters use the incline bench press to follow their bench press sets. It's common for a smith machine to be used for the incline
bench because it forces the lifter to push straight up and drop the bar to the correct part of the chest. Dumbells or a barbell
are used in the incline bench press.
How to perform the incline bench press
Setting up your incline bench
Set your bench up so that you have it at approximately a 30 degree incline. It doesn't
matter if it's a bit lower, but don't go any higher than that. If you are using a smith machine, make sure you
get your bench in the correct position. You want the bar to hit the top of your chest, so adjust your
bench accordingly.
Setup:
Lay down on the bench and set your feet firmly on the floor. Use a spotter to pass you the bar. Grip the bar using
the correct grip. For how to find your correct grip, see the top tip below.
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An easy way to check if you're using the correct bench press grip is to grab a bar with no
weights on it, adopt your normal grip, and bring the bar down to your chest. Now look at the angle
of your forearms. They should be pointing straight up (vertical) at a 90 degree angle to the bar.
You have your maximum power at this angle.
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Incline bench press show here with purpose built incline bench
Execution:
Squeeze the bar tight and slowly lower it down to your upper chest (about 1/2 way between your nipples and collarbone). Stop
the bar about 1 inch off your chest, pasue, then slowly push the bar up to about 2 inches before the starting position (this will
stop you from locking your elbows and keep your target muscles tight).
Incline Bench press tips and safety advice
- The incline bench press is meant to compliment the bench and is often good used as a follow up
exercise. Try doing a 5 set flat bench pyramid followed by a 3 set incline bench press
- You will find that on an incline bench press you cannot bench as much as you can on a regular
bench press, as the incline bench press relies more on the front deltiods (shouders). If you're not sure you can
push out a whole set, use a spotter! Safety First!
- Plant your wide apart, feet flat on the floor for stability. And don't move them while performing the incline
bench press. Tighten up your whole body from head to toe for the whole set.
