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Leverage Incline Chest Press animation

How to do the Leverage Incline Chest Press

ChestMachineBeginner

The leverage incline chest press uses a fixed machine path to target the upper chest with controlled resistance, making it an ideal starting point for building real pressing strength and muscle thickness. Master this movement and you lay the foundation for a chest that commands attention from every angle.

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Muscles worked

Primary
Pectorals (chest)
Secondary
Front deltsTriceps

Step-by-step

  1. Set the seat so the handles align with your upper chest, then plant your feet flat on the floor and press your back firmly into the pad.
  2. Grip the handles just outside shoulder width, retract your shoulder blades, and take a deep breath before each rep.
  3. Press the handles forward and slightly upward in a smooth arc until your arms are fully extended but elbows remain soft, not locked.
  4. Lower the weight under full control until you feel a strong stretch across the upper chest, then drive immediately into the next rep.

Common mistakes

  • Seat too low or too high shifts load off the upper chest onto the shoulders or mid chest, so always adjust until the handles meet exactly at upper chest height before loading weight.
  • Letting the shoulders shrug forward at the top disconnects the chest and stresses the joints, so keep shoulder blades pinched together throughout the entire set.
  • Bouncing the weight stack between reps removes tension and reduces results, so pause for one count at the stretch position and maintain deliberate control on every lowering phase.

Pro tip — At the top of each rep, hold the fully extended position for one second and actively think about squeezing the chest inward across your sternum rather than just pushing the handles away, this small mental shift dramatically increases upper chest fiber recruitment.

Sets & reps by goal

Build muscle3–4 sets × 6–10 reps
Get stronger4–5 sets × 3–6 reps
Lose fat / tone3 sets × 10–12 reps

Rest: 2–3 min between sets (60–90s on lighter days).

More Chest exercises

Barbell Bench PressBarbell Bench PressBarbell Decline Bench PressBarbell Decline Bench PressBarbell Decline Wide Grip PressBarbell Decline Wide Grip PressBarbell Front Raise And PulloverBarbell Front Raise And PulloverBarbell Incline Bench PressBarbell Incline Bench PressCable Bench PressCable Bench Press
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