10 Best Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press Alternatives for Chest Growth

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

Smith Incline Reverse-grip PressWatch the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press

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

How to Do the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press

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

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

  1. Adjust the seat of the smith machine to a comfortable incline angle.
  2. Sit on the machine with your back against the pad and your feet flat on the ground.
  3. Grasp the bar with an overhand grip that is slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  4. Unrack the bar and lower it slowly towards your chest, keeping your elbows tucked in.
  5. Pause for a moment when the bar is just above your chest.
  6. Push the bar back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Smith Incline Reverse-grip 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. Smith Decline Reverse-grip PressPlay demonstration

    1. Smith Decline Reverse-grip Press

    99% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

    It uses the same equipment and still works the pectorals.

    • Smith-machine
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the smith machine to a decline position.
    2. Lie down on the bench with your feet secured under the foot pads.
    3. Grasp the barbell with a reverse grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Unrack the barbell and lower it 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 Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
  2. Smith Reverse-grip PressPlay demonstration

    2. Smith Reverse-grip Press

    91% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

    The same equipment, done seated instead.

    • Smith-machine
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the height of the smith machine bar to chest level.
    2. Stand facing the bar with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Step back and position yourself with a slight bend in your knees.
    5. Keep your chest up and core engaged throughout the exercise.
    6. Lower the bar towards your chest, keeping your elbows tucked in.
    7. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the bar back up to the starting position.
    8. 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 Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
    • Body position: seated, not lying on your back
  3. Lever Standing Chest PressPlay demonstration

    3. Lever Standing Chest Press

    77% 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 position yourself on the machine with your feet flat on the ground.
    2. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and position your hands at chest level.
    3. Push the handles forward until your arms are fully extended, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
    4. Pause for a moment, then slowly bring the handles back towards your chest, maintaining control throughout the movement.
    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 Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
  5. Neck Press

    5. Neck Press

    74% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Compound

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

    • Barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Lie back on a flat bench. Using a medium-width grip (a grip that creates a 90-degree angle in the middle of the movement between the forearms and the upper arms), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over your neck with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.
    2. As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your neck.
    3. After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your chest muscles. Lock your arms and squeeze your chest in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up).
    4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
    5. When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press
    • Equipment: free weights, not a machine
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press

Why You Might Need a Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press Alternative

You might swap the Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press because of limited Smith-machine access, wrist discomfort from the underhand grip, shoulder pain, or a desire for unilateral work and better range of motion. Reverse grip shifts load to the clavicular fibers and alters elbow tracking; if that causes irritation, a neutral-grip dumbbell press or cable incline press lets you adjust wrist rotation and scapular position. For rehab, choose exercises that reduce horizontal shear and allow a natural bar path. Cue: retract the scapula and lower the load slowly to emphasize eccentric control and pec stretch.

How to Choose the Right Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press Substitute

Select a substitute by matching the movement plane, hand position, and stability needs to your goal. For maximal upper-pec hypertrophy prefer an incline angle of 30–45° and a grip that allows a slight under- or neutral rotation to stress the clavicular head. If you need stability training or to fix imbalances, use unilateral landmine or dumbbell presses and focus on a full, controlled ROM. Cue: keep your ribs down, tuck elbows about 45° and pause briefly at the bottom to increase pec time under tension.

Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press FAQ

What muscles does Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press work?

The movement emphasizes the clavicular head of the pectoralis major, with substantial assistance from the anterior deltoid and triceps brachii. The reverse grip shifts elbow tracking closer to the torso, increasing upper-pec activation and changing shoulder joint torque compared with a standard grip.

Can I build muscle without doing Smith Incline Reverse-grip Press?

Yes, you can build upper-chest mass with other incline pressing patterns, cables, and bodyweight variations that produce similar horizontal and upward force vectors. Prioritize progressive overload, 30–45° incline angles, controlled eccentrics, and proper elbow tuck to target the same muscle fibers.

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