10 Best Leverage Incline Chest Press Alternatives for Home Gyms

The Leverage Incline Chest Press is done lying on your back with a machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Incline Push-up, the Incline Push-up (On Box) and the Incline Push-up Medium.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Leverage Incline Chest Press

Leverage Incline Chest Press
Primary muscle
Pectorals
Equipment
Machine
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Shoulders, Triceps

How to perform Leverage Incline Chest Press
  1. Load an appropriate weight onto the pins and adjust the seat for your height. The handles should be near the top 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.
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Ranked Leverage Incline Chest Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Leverage Incline Chest Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    Incline Push-upPlay demonstration

    1. Incline Push-up

    65% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the pectorals with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the elevated surface by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  2. Incline Push-up (On Box)Play demonstration

    2. Incline Push-up (On Box)

    65% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on the edge of a box or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the box by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  3. Incline Push-up Medium

    3. Incline Push-up Medium

    65% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
    2. Place your hands on the bar, with your hands about shoulder width apart.
    3. Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. This will be your starting position.
    4. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
    5. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows, pressing yourself back up.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  4. Kneeling Push-upPlay demonstration

    4. Kneeling Push-up

    64% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by kneeling on the ground with your hands shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, so that your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
    3. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    4. Continue lowering until your chest is just above the ground, then push back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: kneeling, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  5. Push-up (Wall)Play demonstration

    5. Push-up (Wall)

    63% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a wall, about arm's length away.
    2. Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Step back a few feet, keeping your body straight and your feet hip-width apart.
    4. Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the wall, keeping your body in a straight line.
    5. Push back up to the starting position, straightening your arms.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
  6. Incline Push-up Wide

    6. Incline Push-up Wide

    63% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
    2. Place your hands on the bar, with your hands wider than shoulder width.
    3. Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. Your arms should be perpendicular to the body. This will be your starting position.
    4. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
    5. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows, pressing yourself back up.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  7. Incline Reverse Grip Push-upPlay demonstration

    7. Incline Reverse Grip Push-up

    60% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Place your hands on the edge of a bench or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the bench by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by extending your arms.
    5. 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 Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  8. Incline Push-up Reverse Grip

    8. Incline Push-up Reverse Grip

    59% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
    2. Place your hands on the bar palms up, with your hands about shoulder width apart.
    3. Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. This will be your starting position.
    4. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
    5. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows, pressing yourself back up.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  9. Incline Push Up Depth JumpPlay demonstration

    9. Incline Push Up Depth Jump

    57% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Find an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, and place your hands shoulder-width apart on the edge.
    2. Step your feet back, keeping your body in a straight line from head to heels.
    3. Lower your chest towards the edge of the surface, bending your elbows and keeping your body aligned.
    4. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
    5. Jump off the edge of the surface, landing softly with your knees slightly bent.
    6. Repeat the push-up and depth jump 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 Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Leverage Incline Chest Press
  10. Pushups

    10. Pushups

    54% match
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart while holding your torso up at arms length.
    2. Next, lower yourself downward until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
    3. Now breathe out and press your upper body back up to the starting position while squeezing your chest.
    4. After a brief pause at the top contracted position, you can begin to lower yourself downward again for as many repetitions as needed.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Leverage Incline Chest Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

Leverage Incline Chest Press FAQ

What muscles does Leverage Incline Chest Press work?

The exercise primarily targets the clavicular head of the pectoralis major (upper chest), with secondary work from the anterior deltoid and triceps. You recruit upper-pec fibers most effectively by using a 25–35° bench angle and driving the elbows up and slightly inward to produce horizontal adduction.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology