Chest · Flat Bench
Incline Push-up
How to do the incline push-up, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Flat Bench
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Horizontal Press
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Place hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench. Lower your chest to the surface, then press back up to the starting position. Ideal for beginners.
- 1Feel your chest and triceps working as you perform push-ups with your hands elevated
- 2Keep your body in a straight line and engage your core
- 3Lower your chest to the bench or platform and press up fully
Common mistakes
- Avoid letting your hips sag or rise too high
- Don't flare your elbows wide; keep them at a moderate angle
- Avoid bouncing; control the tempo
Muscles worked
The incline push-up mainly works the upper chest and mid chest, with the triceps, lower chest, upper abs, and front delts assisting.
- Upper ChestPrimary
- Mid ChestPrimary
- TricepsSupport
- Lower ChestSupport
- Upper AbsSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
- ObliquesMinor
Kovo programs the incline push-up for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More chest exercises
- How to do the archer push-up
- How to do the assisted dip
- How to do the resistance band chest flyes
- How to do the resistance band push-up
- How to do the barbell bench press
- How to do the paused bench press
Last reviewed April 2026.