10 Best Decline Smith Press Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Decline Smith Press is done lying on your back with a Smith machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Lever Decline Chest Press, the Leverage Decline Chest Press and the Lever Incline Chest Press.

Decline Smith Press

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Decline Smith Press

The steps for the Decline Smith Press itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Pectorals, with shoulders, triceps · Smith-machine · Intermediate · Compound

  1. Place a decline bench underneath the Smith machine. Now place the barbell at a height that you can reach when lying down and your arms are almost fully extended. Using a pronated grip that is wider than shoulder width, unlock the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms extended. This will be your starting position.
  2. As you inhale, lower the bar under control by allowing the elbows to flex, lightly contacting the torso.
  3. After a brief pause, bring the bar back to the starting position by extending the elbows, exhaling as you do so.
  4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
  5. When the set is complete, lock the bar back in the rack.

The 10 Best Decline Smith Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Decline Smith Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Lever Decline Chest PressPlay demonstration

    1. Lever Decline Chest Press

    99% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have a lever machine to work with, and it still works the pectorals.

    • Lever
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat height and backrest of the leverage machine to a comfortable position.
    2. Sit on the machine with your back against the backrest and your feet flat on the floor.
    3. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and position your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Push the handles forward and away from your body until your arms are fully extended.
    5. Slowly lower the handles back towards your chest, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
    6. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the handles back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: decline press, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Decline Smith Press
  2. Leverage Decline Chest Press

    2. Leverage Decline Chest Press

    99% match

    Pectorals · Beginner · Compound

    A good swap when you have a machine to work with, and it still works the pectorals.

    • Machine
    How to perform it
    1. Load an appropriate weight onto the pins and adjust the seat for your height. The handles should be near the bottom of the pectorals at the beginning of the motion. Your chest and head should be up and your shoulder blades retracted. This will be your starting position.
    2. Press the handles forward by extending through the elbow.
    3. After a brief pause at the top, return the weight just above the start position, keeping tension on the muscles by not returning the weight to the stops until the set is complete.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: decline press, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Decline Smith Press
  5. Smith Decline Bench PressPlay demonstration

    5. Smith Decline Bench Press

    84% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

    It still works the pectorals, through a different movement.

    • Smith-machine
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the decline bench to the desired angle.
    2. Lie down on the bench with your feet secured under the foot pads.
    3. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Unrack the barbell and lower it slowly towards your chest, keeping your elbows tucked in.
    5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the barbell back up to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Decline Smith Press
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Decline Smith Press

Decline Smith Press FAQ

What muscles does Decline Smith Press work?

The Decline Smith Press primarily targets the lower portion of the pectoralis major, with secondary load on the anterior deltoids and triceps. The decline angle shifts activation toward the sternocostal fibers while reducing shoulder flexion compared with flat presses.

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