Smith Machine Incline Bench Press

An incline bench press on the Smith machine that bias-loads the upper chest — the guided take on the classic incline press.

Chest Machine Strength

Step by step

1. Set the incline bench under the Smith bar at about 30 to 45 degrees, with the bar over your upper chest.
2. Lie back on the bench, plant your feet flat on the floor, and grip the bar slightly wider than shoulders.
3. Pull your shoulder blades back and down into the bench to set a stable pressing position.
4. Unrack the bar by rotating the wrists, then lower it slowly to your upper chest with elbows at about 60 degrees.
5. Pause briefly at the bottom with the bar touching the chest and tension held through the upper body.
6. Drive the bar back up to full lockout by pressing through the upper chest and triceps.

Muscles and equipment

Target muscle

Upper chest

Secondary muscles

Side delts, Triceps

Equipment

Machine

Type

Strength

Similar exercises

• Barbell High Incline Bench PressUpper chest · Barbell
• Barbell Incline Bench PressUpper chest · Barbell
• Cable Incline Bench PressUpper chest · Cable