Incline Bench Press vs Pause Bench Press
Maximizing Your Chest Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Incline Bench Press more often — 8,934 sessions vs 85. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Chest Workout: Explore the Benefits of Incline Bench Press and Pause Bench Press for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Incline Bench Press vs Pause Bench Press : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Bench Press more often — 8,934 sessions compared to 85 for Pause Bench Press.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Incline Bench Press and Pause 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 Incline Bench Press and Pause Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Incline Bench Press | Pause Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 8,934 sessions | 85 sessions |
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!
How to Pause Bench Press
Pause Bench Press muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches just below your chest.
- 2. Pause for about 1-2 seconds at the lowest point.
- 3. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 4. 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 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Pause Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pause Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Incline Bench Press or Pause Bench Press?
Planfit users log Incline Bench Press more often — 8,934 sessions against 85 for Pause 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 Incline Bench Press and Pause Bench Press need?
Incline Bench Press needs a barbell, and Pause Bench Press needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Incline Bench Press is the easier place to start. Move to Pause Bench Press once your form holds up.
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