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Incline Push-Up

Chest Shoulders Triceps Beginner Strength Body Only
Incline Push-Up Incline Push-Up
Equipment
Body Only
Level
Beginner
Force
Push
Mechanic
Compound
Instructions
  1. Stand facing bench or sturdy elevated platform. Place hands on edge of bench or platform, slightly wider than shoulder width.
  2. Position forefoot back from bench or platform with arms and body straight. Arms should be perpendicular to body. Keeping body straight, lower chest to edge of box or platform by bending arms.
  3. Push body up until arms are extended. Repeat.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Incline Push-Up work?

Incline Push-Up primarily targets the Chest. It also engages the Shoulders, Triceps as secondary muscles. This makes it an effective strength exercise for building chest development.

Do I need equipment for the Incline Push-Up?

No. The Incline Push-Up is a bodyweight exercise that requires no equipment. It can be performed anywhere with enough space.

Is the Incline Push-Up suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Incline Push-Up is a beginner-friendly exercise. Focus on proper form before adding weight or intensity. It's a great movement to include early in your training.

Is the Incline Push-Up a compound or isolation exercise?

The Incline Push-Up is a compound exercise, meaning it works multiple joints and muscle groups simultaneously. Compound movements are efficient for building overall strength and are typically performed earlier in a workout when you have the most energy.

How many sets and reps should I do for the Incline Push-Up?

For strength, aim for 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with heavier weight. For muscle building (hypertrophy), try 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps at a moderate weight. For endurance, use lighter weight and perform 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.

What are good alternatives to the Incline Push-Up?

Good alternatives include the Alternating Floor Press, Around The Worlds, Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip. These exercises target similar muscle groups (Chest) and can be substituted based on available equipment or training preference.

How to use Incline Push-Up — How to, Muscles, Form

Best for: Building practical strength and adding focused work for Chest, Shoulders, Triceps. Use it when the movement fits your goal, equipment, and recovery.

Programming tip: Start with a load you can control for every rep. Add reps before adding weight, and keep the last rep clean enough that you could repeat the movement next week.

Common mistake: Chasing heavier weight before the setup, range of motion, and tempo are consistent. If the rep changes every set, the log stops telling the truth.

Track it: Log weight, reps, sets, and one short note about form or difficulty. Over time, those notes explain plateaus better than motivation quotes ever will.

Track this exercise

Log sets, reps, and weight. See your progress over time.

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