Cable Bench Press vs Incline Smith Machine Bench Press
Which one fits your Chest workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions vs 99. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Cable Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.
Cable Bench Press vs Incline Smith Machine Bench Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions compared to 99 for Cable Bench Press.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Cable Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Cable Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Cable Bench Press | Incline Smith Machine Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | cable-driven | Smith-machine |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 99 sessions | 15,214 sessions |
How to Do Cable Bench Press
Cable Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower your hand so that it is next to your chest.
- 2. At this time, your forearm should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Slowly raise your hand to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you cannot lower your hands to chest height, please lower them as much as you can without straining.
- 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your buttocks fall off the bench.
For a full Cable Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Bench Press exercise guide.
How to Do Incline Smith Machine Bench Press
Incline Smith Machine Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches the upper part of your chest. The barbell should touch higher than in a regular bench press.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible without straining.
- 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.
For a full Incline Smith Machine Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Smith Machine Bench Press exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Cable Bench Press or Incline Smith Machine Bench Press?
Planfit users log Incline Smith Machine Bench Press more often — 15,214 sessions against 99 for Cable Bench Press. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Cable Bench Press and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press need?
Cable Bench Press needs a machine, and Incline Smith Machine Bench Press needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Incline Smith Machine Bench Press is the easier place to start. Move to Cable Bench Press once your form holds up.
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