Smith Machine Incline Bench Press

Learn how to do smith machine incline bench press with a clear setup, controlled movement, and a technique you can repeat.

ChestMachine5 technique steps

See the movement
Smith Machine Incline Bench Press: matching illustrations comparing the setup and movement positions
01Set your position02Make the movement

How to do smith machine incline bench press

  1. Place an incline bench underneath the smith machine. Place the barbell at a height that you can reach when lying down and your arms are almost fully extended. Once the weight you need is selected, lie down on the incline bench and make sure your upper chest is aligned with the barbell. Using a pronated grip (palms facing forward) that is wider than shoulder width, unlock the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.
  2. As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your upper chest.
  3. After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
  4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
  5. When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.
Smith Machine Incline Bench Press exercise illustration

Smith Machine Incline Bench Press: muscles worked

Primary focus: chest. Supporting muscles: Shoulders, Triceps.

Better reps before more weight.

Start with a version you can control. Record the same setup and range each time. Add reps or a small load increase when you can repeat the movement without changing the technique.

Plan your next set

Frequently asked questions

How do you do smith machine incline bench press?

Place an incline bench underneath the smith machine. Place the barbell at a height that you can reach when lying down and your arms are almost fully extended. Once the weight you need is selected, lie down on the incline bench and make sure your upper chest is aligned with the barbell. Using a pronated grip (palms facing forward) that is wider than shoulder width, unlock the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. This will be your starting position. As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your upper chest. After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.

What muscles does smith machine incline bench press work?

Smith Machine Incline Bench Press primarily trains the chest, with the shoulders and triceps contributing. The exact demand depends on your setup, range, and chosen load.

What is the best technique for smith machine incline bench press?

Set stable contact points and a secure grip before pressing. Control the lowering phase and press through a comfortable, repeatable path. Use suitable rack safeties or assistance for heavy barbell work; avoid sudden changes in position.

What can I do instead of smith machine incline bench press?

Related options include Smith Machine Bench Press, Machine Bench Press, Barbell Bench Press. These can have different equipment, range, and movement demands. Open the guides below to compare the setups before choosing a replacement.

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