CHEST · BODYWEIGHT

How to do the incline push ups

The incline push ups trains your chest, with help from your shoulders, triceps. Here is how to do it with good form.

Person doing the incline push ups
Photo: Herzi Pinki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized.

Step by step

  1. Place your hands on the edge of a sturdy object (plyo box, gym bench, or a chair).
  2. Straighten your body as you would for a regular push-up.
  3. Bring your shoulders back and squeeze your glutes.
  4. Take a breath and lower yourself to the object you’re using, tapping your chest at the bottom position.
  5. Press yourself back to the top and fully extend your arms as you exhale.

Muscles worked

PrimaryChest
SecondaryShoulders, Triceps
EquipmentBodyweight

Sets and reps

Beginner3 sets of as many clean reps as you can, stopping 2 reps short of failure
Muscle growth3–4 sets of 8–15 reps; add a pause or extra load when 15 gets easy
Conditioning2–4 rounds of 30–45 s work, 15–30 s rest

Pick the row that matches your goal. Add weight or reps once every set feels controlled, and log each set so you can see the trend.

Track your progress

Repto shows what you lifted on your last session for every set, suggests your next weight, and starts the rest timer when you tick the set. Your estimated 1-rep max and volume for each exercise are charted over time.

Alternatives for your chest

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