Incline Bench Press (Barbell)
Lie back on a bench set at an incline and press a barbell from the upper chest to arm's length. Also called Incline Bench Press and Incline Barbell Press.
- Pattern
- Press forward
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Works
- Chest, front delt, triceps
- Loads
- Shoulders, elbows, wrists
If something hurts
Not medical advice. Sharp pain, numbness or swelling needs someone qualified to look at it.
Each swap below spares one joint.
Shoulder Incline Chest Press (Machine)Try it if it feels okay
Fixed path keeps the wrist out and shortens the shoulder's range.
A fly's elbow stays fixed, so no elbow bend loads it.
Fixed path keeps the wrist out and shortens the shoulder's range.
When it stalls, these usually help
Same grip family with more of the work on the triceps, where a press usually gives out.
An incline leans on the shoulders more than a flat bench, so direct shoulder pressing carries over.
The pull that balances the press; a strong upper back is the base you press from.
How Swolver coaches it
This lift is read from your own sessions. When it goes flat for four weeks, Swolver names the likely cause in plain words, such as weekly sets that dropped, and the one change to make. The rules are all on the method page.