Incline Push Up vs Decline Push Up

Which one fits your Chest workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Incline Push Up more often — 4,296 sessions vs 877. Compare Chest form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Incline Push Up and Decline Push Up and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.

Incline Push Up vs Decline Push Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Push Up more often — 4,296 sessions compared to 877 for Decline Push Up.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Incline Push Up and Decline Push Up differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Incline Push Up and Decline Push Up Differ

What differsIncline Push UpDecline Push Up
Difficulty1 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users4,296 sessions877 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Incline Push Up or Decline Push Up fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Incline Push Up

Incline Push Up demo video

Incline Push Up Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Please lower down until just before your chest touches.
  2. 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
  3. 3. Engage your chest and return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please go down only as much as you can without straining your shoulders.
  2. 2. Keep your core engaged to prevent your hips from dropping.

For a full Incline Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Push Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Incline Push Up?Exercise Guide

How to Do Decline Push Up

Decline Push Up demo video

Decline Push Up Muscles Worked: Chest

Form

  1. 1. Please lower down until just before your chest touches.
  2. 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
  3. 3. Engage your chest and return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please go down only as much as you can without straining your shoulders.
  2. 2. Keep your core engaged to prevent your hips from dropping.

For a full Decline Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Decline Push Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Decline Push Up?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Chest, Incline Push Up or Decline Push Up?

Planfit users log Incline Push Up more often — 4,296 sessions against 877 for Decline Push Up. Both train Chest, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Incline Push Up and Decline Push Up need?

Incline Push Up needs bodyweight only, and Decline Push Up needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Incline Push Up is the easier place to start. Move to Decline Push Up once your form holds up.

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