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Exercise guide

Incline Push-Up

How to do the Incline Push-Up with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundBody OnlyBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Chest

Secondary

Shoulders, Triceps

Equipment

Body Only

Step by step

How to do the Incline Push-Up

  1. 1

    Stand facing bench or sturdy elevated platform. Place hands on edge of bench or platform, slightly wider than shoulder width.

  2. 2

    Position forefoot back from bench or platform with arms and body straight. Arms should be perpendicular to body. Keeping body straight, lower chest to edge of box or platform by bending arms.

  3. 3

    Push body up until arms are extended. Repeat.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Incline Push-Up set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your chest volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Incline Push-Up fits

The Incline Push-Up shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More chest exercises

FAQ

Incline Push-Up: common questions

What muscles does the Incline Push-Up work?

The Incline Push-Up primarily works the Chest. It also recruits the Shoulders and Triceps as supporting muscles.

Is the Incline Push-Up suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Incline Push-Up is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Incline Push-Up?

None. The Incline Push-Up is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it without any equipment.

Is the Incline Push-Up a compound or isolation exercise?

The Incline Push-Up is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Incline Push-Up with correct form?

Stand facing bench or sturdy elevated platform. Place hands on edge of bench or platform, slightly wider than shoulder width. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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