FormTwin › Exercises › Incline Bench Press

What muscles does the Incline Bench Press work?

The incline bench press biases the upper chest and front delts, filling out the top of the chest that flat pressing tends to miss.

Primary muscles worked

Secondary muscles worked

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How to do the Incline Bench Press

  1. Set the bench to 15–30° and lie back, feet planted.
  2. Grip a touch wider than shoulder-width, shoulder blades set.
  3. Unrack and lower the bar to your upper chest.
  4. Press up and slightly back over the shoulders.

Common mistakes

Variations

Incline dumbbell pressLow-incline pressFlat bench press

Frequently asked questions

What muscles does the incline bench press work?

The incline press works the upper portion of the chest most, along with the front deltoids and triceps. It complements the flat bench, which spreads the load across the whole chest.

What angle is best for incline bench?

15–30° hits the upper chest well while keeping the front delts from taking over. Much steeper than 30° and it becomes more of a shoulder press.

Incline vs flat bench press?

Flat bench trains the whole chest and lets you press the most weight; incline biases the upper chest. A complete chest is built with both.

Related exercises

DeadliftBack SquatBench PressPull-UpPush-Up

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Muscle involvement varies with form, grip and individual anatomy. Consult a professional before starting a new program.