Wide Push Up vs Incline Hammer Bench Press
Which one fits your Chest workout plan?
Contents
Wide Push Up is the easier place to start — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 5. Compare Chest form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Wide Push Up and Incline Hammer Bench Press and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.
Wide Push Up vs Incline Hammer Bench Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Wide Push Up more often — 494 sessions compared to 458 for Incline Hammer Bench Press.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Wide Push Up and Incline Hammer 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 Wide Push Up and Incline Hammer Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Wide Push Up | Incline Hammer Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 494 sessions | 458 sessions |
How to Do Wide Push Up
Wide Push Up Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Please lower yourself until your chest is just about to touch the ground.
- 2. Engage your chest and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please go down only as much as you can without straining your shoulders.
- 2. Keep your core engaged to prevent your hips from dropping.
For a full Wide Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Wide Push Up exercise guide.
How to Do Incline Hammer Bench Press
Incline Hammer Bench Press Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Push the machine handle up and forward while slowly extending your arms.
- 2. Raise it until your arms are almost straight and the handle gets close to your chest, then pause for a moment.
- 3. Slowly bend your elbows and gently lower the handle back to the starting position.
- 4. Control the movement so that both arms move at the same speed and repeat.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Stop with a slight allowance rather than completely locking your arms.
- 2. Keep your shoulders down by pressing your back against the bench completely.
- 3. Push the handle straight ahead to avoid bending your wrists.
For a full Incline Hammer Bench Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Hammer Bench Press exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Wide Push Up or Incline Hammer Bench Press?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Chest, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Wide Push Up and Incline Hammer Bench Press need?
Wide Push Up needs bodyweight only, and Incline Hammer Bench Press needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Wide Push Up is the easier place to start. Move to Incline Hammer Bench Press once your form holds up.
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