barbell incline reverse-grip press: technique and muscles worked

Animated demonstration of barbell incline reverse-grip press

How to do this exercise

Step:1 Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
Step:2 Lie back on the bench and grasp the barbell with a reverse grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Step:3 Unrack the barbell and lower it towards your upper chest, keeping your elbows tucked in.
Step:4 Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the barbell back up to the starting position.
Step:5 Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Equipment: Barbell
Body part: Arms Chest
Target muscle: Triceps Clavicular pectoralis (upper chest)
Secondary muscle: Biceps Forearms Anterior deltoid Sternal pectoralis (mid chest)

Hypertrophy grade

Good7 / 10

Nemeo’s take

The reverse grip incline press specifically targets the upper pectorals, with increased use of the triceps and involvement of the biceps as a stabilizer. Compared to the classic incline press, it offers particular recruitment of the clavicular bundle, but the reverse grip reduces stability and often limits the maximum load. The exercise is limited by grip and technical mastery, which impacts the potential for progressive overload, but it remains an excellent specialized tool for varying upper chest recruitment.

This catalog score reflects Nemeo’s assessment of the exercise’s muscle-building potential. It is not a standardized scientific rating or a personalized recommendation.

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barbell incline reverse-grip press

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