The incline is one of three variations of the standard bench press. The incline, decline and flat bench presses all specifically focus on one respective area in the chest. The decline targets the lower portion of the chest and the flat is designed to centralize the mid portion of the pectoralis major muscle. The incline bench press is performed with the bench positioned on an incline, or upwards, angle, and using barbells or dumbbells. This exercise concentrates on training the upper chest muscles.
Primary Muscles Worked
The website Muscle Mag Fitness reports the incline bench press primarily works the pectoralis major and minor. The incline works the upper chest muscles by isolating tension to that region. The incline is the most difficult bench press of all to complete with proper form. Consistently working the upper chest will strengthen, define and enlarge the muscles in that location. When upper-chest muscles are firmly developed, a solid build can be noticed even while you are wearing a shirt.
Secondary Muscles Worked
The website Big Muscle Fast reports the incline bench press will also train your shoulders and triceps. Although your shoulders and triceps are secondary muscles, powerful triceps and shoulders will complement other muscles and create more overall strength. The incline bench press more effectively complements the triceps and shoulders than the other benches because it positions you at a 15- to 30-degree angle.
Greater Overall Strength
According to the website Texas Power Scene, the incline generates slightly greater electrical energy in the upper pecs than the other two bench presses. The upper chest provides more comprehensive strength and power than the mid or lower portion of the chest. The online site Body Building notes the incline bench press is a compound movement, and exercise that demands the use of more than one muscle. Both the flat and decline bench presses are also compound movements. However, neither of those benching variations has proven more valuable to creating greater overall strength than the incline.
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