Bar touches too low — mid chest like a flat press
The upper chest stimulus is lost; becomes an angled flat press.
Overactive muscles
Pec major (sternal)Anterior deltoid
Corrective work
Foam RollPectorals↗StretchDoorway pec stretch↗Push · Upper Body
Barbell Bench Press (Incline)
Coaching cues
- Bench at 30 to 45 degrees; grip just outside shoulder-width
- Lower to the upper chest — bar touches just below the collar bones
- Drive to lockout; elbows at 45 degrees from the torso
- Targets the clavicular head of the pec and anterior deltoid
Common faults 2
Shoulders protract forward at lockout
Anterior delt and pec minor push the shoulder blade forward at the top.
Overactive muscles
Pec minorAnterior deltoid
Corrective work
Foam RollThoracic spine↗StretchDoorway pec stretch↗