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Direction-of-travel diagram for the horizontal push pattern. Photography for the Incline Barbell Bench Press is not shot yet.
StrengthIn review

Incline Barbell Bench Press

A bilateral barbell press performed on an inclined bench.

This page is a working draft. A coach has not reviewed it, so read it as a starting point, not as checked instruction.

Pattern
Horizontal push
Modality
Strength
Difficulty
Intermediate
Mechanic
Unknown
Force
Unknown
Laterality
Bilateral
Impact
Low
Trains where
Gym
At home
No

How to do it

Set up

  1. Set the bench to an incline and place your feet firmly on the floor.
  2. Grip the bar, set your upper back against the bench, and unrack to straight arms.

Do the rep

  1. Lower the bar under control toward the upper chest.
  2. Press the bar upward until both elbows are extended.

What counts as a rep

A rep counts when the bar touches the upper chest and both elbows return to full extension.

One rep lowers the bar to a controlled upper-chest touch, then ends at lockout with both elbows extended.

Breathing

Breathe in as the bar lowers; exhale as you press to lockout.

Cues

  • Keep the upper back set.
  • Lower with control.
  • Press evenly with both arms.

Common mistakes

  • Bar lowers too high

    What you seeThe bar moves toward the neck instead of the upper chest.

    FixLower toward the upper chest with the forearms under the bar.

    An upper-chest touch keeps the bar on the intended incline path.

  • Shoulders move forward

    What you seeThe shoulders lift away from the bench near the top.

    FixKeep the upper back set against the bench.

    A set upper back provides a stable base for the press.

Stop the set if

  • Stop if you feel sharp pain.
  • Stop if the bar path becomes uneven or you cannot return it safely to the rack.
  • End the set when you cannot meet the stated range under control.

General educational content, not individual coaching or medical advice.

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