Smith Incline Bench Press
Learn how to do the Smith Incline Bench Press with proper form and technique. This smith machine exercise primarily targets your Pectorals, with secondary emphasis on Shoulders, Triceps.
How to Do the Smith Incline Bench Press
Follow these steps to perform the Smith Incline Bench Press with correct form:
- 1Adjust the bench to a 30-45 degree incline.
- 2Sit on the bench with your back flat against the pad and feet firmly on the ground.
- 3Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- 4Unrack the barbell and lower it slowly towards your upper chest, keeping your elbows slightly tucked in.
- 5Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the barbell back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- 6Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Smith Incline Bench Press Muscles Worked
Primary
Secondary
Exercise Details
- Equipment
- smith machine
- Body Part
- chest
- Category
- Main
Recovery & Training Frequency
- Recommended Recovery Time
- 3–5 days
- Weekly Frequency
- 1–2 sessions per week
- Why
- Heavy multi-joint barbell lifts produce substantial mechanical tension across large muscle groups and significant CNS fatigue. Israetel et al. recommend 48–72 h minimum; many intermediate lifters need a full 96+ h for true supercompensation on squat or deadlift patterns.
Sets & Reps by Goal
Strength
- Sets
- 3–6
- Reps
- 1–5
- Rest
- 3–5 min
Use 80–95% of 1RM. The primary goal is maximal force production. Linear or undulating periodisation works well.
Hypertrophy
- Sets
- 3–5
- Reps
- 6–12
- Rest
- 60–120 s
Keep 1–3 reps in reserve (RIR). Compound lifts at moderate load drive significant hypertrophy across multiple muscle groups simultaneously (Schoenfeld, 2010).
Endurance
- Sets
- 2–4
- Reps
- 15–20
- Rest
- 30–60 s
Lighter loads with higher reps improve local muscular endurance and work capacity. Not typically a primary use case for heavy barbell movements.
Which Workout Splits Include Smith Incline Bench Press?
Based on the muscles this exercise targets, it fits naturally into these training splits and day types:
Push / Pull / Legs
Push Day
Upper / Lower
Upper Day
Full Body
Any session
Bro Split
Chest Day
Not sure which split is right for you? Cora builds personalised training plans that match your schedule and goals. Learn more about progressive overload.
Related Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does the Smith Incline Bench Press work?
The Smith Incline Bench Press primarily targets your Pectorals. Secondary muscles worked include Shoulders, Triceps. This makes it an effective exercise for developing your chest.
What equipment do I need for the Smith Incline Bench Press?
The Smith Incline Bench Press requires smith machine. Make sure your equipment is properly set up and you have enough space to perform the movement with full range of motion.
How do I perform the Smith Incline Bench Press with proper form?
Start by Adjust the bench to a 30-45 degree incline. Sit on the bench with your back flat against the pad and feet firmly on the ground. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Focus on controlled movement throughout the entire range of motion. See the full step-by-step instructions above for complete form guidance.
How often should I do the Smith Incline Bench Press?
For most people, allow 3–5 days between sessions targeting the same muscle group. That translates to 1–2 sessions per week. Heavy multi-joint barbell lifts produce substantial mechanical tension across large muscle groups and significant CNS fatigue. Israetel et al. recommend 48–72 h minimum; many intermediate lifters need a full 96+ h for true supercompensation on squat or deadlift patterns.
What are the best sets and reps for the Smith Incline Bench Press?
It depends on your goal. For strength: 3–6 sets of 1–5 with 3–5 min rest. For hypertrophy (muscle growth): 3–5 sets of 6–12 with 60–120 s rest. For endurance: 2–4 sets of 15–20 with 30–60 s rest.
Which workout splits is the Smith Incline Bench Press best for?
The Smith Incline Bench Press fits well into the following training splits: Push / Pull / Legs (Push Day), Upper / Lower (Upper Day), Full Body (Any session), Bro Split (Chest Day). It is classified as a push, upper movement.
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