Whats the best degree angle for Incline bench?

[Who?]

The unadjustable incline bench at my gym is around 45*, maybe lower, but I usually use the adjustable benches for DB incline and increase the angle to around 55*. Whats the best angle for incline?

[Defiant1]

The unadjustable incline bench at my gym is around 45*, maybe lower, but I usually use the adjustable benches for DB incline and increase the angle to around 55*. Whats the best angle for incline?

Where you feel it where you want. For upper pecs, I'd say a good STARTING place is 30 degrees, then go down or up from there.

There is a WIDE variance for people, so don't be afraid to experiment.

[ExtremistPullup]

[Hola Bola]

I prefer between 15 and 75 degrees.

[ExtremistPullup]

I prefer between 15 and 75 degrees.

wow strong range

[gixxer_751]

^^word

[Hola Bola]

wow strong range

There is no "best angle" for Incline presses IMO... varying it is the way to go.

[BOLT.]

45, based on the photo, would be rather high. It could be an effective exercise, no doubt. But I prefer lower angles. When I do inclined bench I use something right inbetween 45 and flat. You want the chest to be the primary mover, but putting in on an incline focuses more on the upper pecs and some of the pressure is shifted to the shoulders.

[dustofnations]

just go with where you feel it most. the problem with adjustable benches is that a lot people place them too low or too high. Too high and you're focusing on your delts. too low and you're not targeting the correct muscle group well enough.

also another thing to keep in mind is your own body. sure you can adjust the bench, but can you keep your body aligned with the bench correctly? a lot of guys who lift heavy on incline end up arching their backs too much, so besides risking injury, they end up doing more of a flat bench on an incline.

I'd say a good way to know if you're too high or too low is ASKING yourself (not doing in case the load is too heavy) if you would be able to support the weight if you were move your arms so they're a little further in front of you or behind. If you can think you could put it more forward, you're too low. if you can work so your elbows are past your head, you're too high. Just use your best judgement

[ChingChang]

I like to start with BB Incline at ~40-45 then later do DB incline at 30.

[DJAuto]

There it is. Been looking for it for some time.

[kyokushin1]

That image explains pretty much what Ive been doing already.

IMO, 15-30 for DB Press and 45 for DB Flyes

[Big Arm Big Pay]

i just do regular 45 degree angle and that works fine for me... What do you use smith machine for incline?

[Tyciol]

The image demonstrates angle difference, but not why varying the angles would somehow diminish ant delt dominance and focus on upper pecs.

There is no logic in that.

Variation is just good because you don't stagnate so much.

[ExtremistPullup]

The image demonstrates angle difference, but not why varying the angles would somehow diminish ant delt dominance and focus on upper pecs.

There is no logic in that.

Variation is just good because you don't stagnate so much.

You can't see the logic in that?

The more of an incline the more shoulders you are going to use. That is pretty much well known.

http://www.betterbodz.com/chest/incl...nch_press.html


That graphic is from "REPS!" magazine. It's telling you 35 degrees because that is what they feel will "minimize delt involvement and focus more on the upper pecs." if you don't want to take there advice thats fine its only a national published magazine, I know strangers behind a key board have more credibility.

Personaly I do my incline the way the company designed their incline bench.

[meerkat3.14]

I figure, 45' is halfway between mainly chest and total shoulder. It's going to be upper pec mainly, with less than half assistance from shoulders.

45' is fine surely, if you're also doing flat and decline.

[hulkinout]

Where you feel it where you want. For upper pecs, I'd say a good STARTING place is 30 degrees, then go down or up from there.

There is a WIDE variance for people, so don't be afraid to experiment.

Very smart.

There is no "best angle" for Incline presses IMO... varying it is the way to go.

I've gone as high as about 60 for inclines before I feel it's turned into too much of a delt move; it takes some getting used to, but is a nice way to shock the pecs.

I figure, 45' is halfway between mainly chest and total shoulder. It's going to be upper pec mainly, with less than half assistance from shoulders.

45' is fine surely, if you're also doing flat and decline.

For some, perhaps. As Defiant points out, you really should experiment to find your optimum angle(s), provided you have adjustable benches available.