Decline Bench Press vs Incline Bench Press
Maximizing Your Chest Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Incline Bench Press more often — 4,345 sessions vs 230. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Chest Workout: Explore the Benefits of Decline Bench Press and Incline Bench Press for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Decline Bench Press vs Incline Bench Press : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Bench Press more often — 4,345 sessions compared to 230 for Decline Bench Press.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Decline Bench Press and Incline Bench Press differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Decline Bench Press and Incline Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Decline Bench Press | Incline Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 230 sessions | 4,345 sessions |
How to Decline Bench Press
Decline Bench Press muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches your chest. It should be lower than in a typical bench press.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be vertical to the floor.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. If you have high intraocular pressure, please substitute with other exercises.
- 2. If the barbell does not touch your chest, lower it as much as possible without straining.
- 3. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 4. Be careful not to let your buttocks come off the bench.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Decline Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Decline Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
How to Incline Bench Press
Incline 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 Comment
- 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible without overdoing it.
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Incline Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Incline Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Decline Bench Press or Incline Bench Press?
Planfit users log Incline Bench Press more often — 4,345 sessions against 230 for Decline 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 Decline Bench Press and Incline Bench Press need?
Decline Bench Press needs a barbell, and Incline Bench Press needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Incline Bench Press is the easier place to start. Move to Decline Bench Press once your form holds up.
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