Barbell Incline Bench Press alternatives
The best alternative to the Barbell Incline Bench Press is the Dumbbell Incline Bench Press: each arm works on its own, so a stronger side can’t cover for a weaker one, and you get a little more range of motion.
The Barbell Incline Bench Press is a incline press: a press on an upward angle, which shifts the load toward the upper chest and front shoulders. Every swap below keeps that movement and the same main muscle, so it can take the Barbell Incline Bench Press’s place in your workout with the same sets and reps. They’re grouped by the equipment they need.
Barbell Incline Bench Press alternatives with dumbbells
Dumbbell Incline Bench Press
Each arm works on its own, so a stronger side can’t cover for a weaker one, and you get a little more range of motion.
Dumbbell Incline Alternate Press
Needs only a pair of dumbbells, and each side has to pull its own weight. Here, working one side at a time lets you fix imbalances and adds core work to stay square.
Barbell Incline Bench Press alternatives with your bodyweight
Incline Push-up
No equipment needed; make it harder with a slower lowering or a pause at the hardest point.
Barbell Incline Bench Press alternatives on a cable machine
Cable Incline Bench Press
The cable keeps tension on the muscle through the whole rep, including the end where free weights go slack.
Cable One Arm Incline Press
On the cable stack, so the weight changes in small steps and the tension never drops off. Here, working one side at a time lets you fix imbalances and adds core work to stay square.
Barbell Incline Bench Press alternatives on a machine
Lever Incline Chest Press
The machine sets the path, so you can push close to failure without balancing the weight or needing a spotter.
Barbell Incline Bench Press alternatives with a barbell
Barbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Press
The underhand grip brings the biceps in more.
Barbell Incline Bench Press alternatives on a Smith machine
Smith Incline Bench Press
The bar runs on rails, so you can load it heavy and stop anywhere without a spotter.
Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
The fixed bar path lets you focus on the muscle instead of balancing the weight.
How to swap it in
Use the substitute in the same slot, for the same sets and rep range you used on the Barbell Incline Bench Press. Start a little lighter for the first session while you learn the new movement, then add weight or reps each week. Stick with one swap for a few weeks so you can see whether you’re getting stronger.
Need the original? How to do the Barbell Incline Bench Press, step by step →
Questions
What is the best alternative to the Barbell Incline Bench Press?
The Dumbbell Incline Bench Press is the closest swap: it’s the same incline press and trains the same chest. Each arm works on its own, so a stronger side can’t cover for a weaker one, and you get a little more range of motion.
What can I do instead of the Barbell Incline Bench Press at home?
Incline Push-up, Dumbbell Incline Bench Press and Dumbbell Incline Alternate Press all work with little or no equipment and keep the same movement: a press on an upward angle, which shifts the load toward the upper chest and front shoulders.
What muscles should a Barbell Incline Bench Press alternative work?
The Barbell Incline Bench Press works your pectorals, shoulders and triceps. A good substitute keeps the movement the same, a press on an upward angle, which shifts the load toward the upper chest and front shoulders, so the same muscles do the work even if the equipment changes.
Can I replace the Barbell Incline Bench Press completely?
Yes. Pick one substitute from the list and give it the same sets and rep range, then add weight or reps week to week the way you would have on the Barbell Incline Bench Press. Switching back and forth every session makes progress harder to see.
Track Barbell Incline Bench Press in SPLYT
Barbell Incline Bench Press is already in SPLYT’s exercise library. Log your sets, reps and weight on iPhone or Apple Watch, with last time’s weights already filled in.