How to Do Incline Bench Pull
Start and end of one clean rep of Incline Bench Pull.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Back |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Shoulders |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Incline Bench Pull
- Grab a dumbbell in each hand and lie face down on an incline bench that is set to an incline that is approximately 30 degrees.
- Let the arms hang to your sides fully extended as they point to the floor.
- Turn the wrists until your hands have a pronated (palms down) grip.
- Now flare the elbows out. This will be your starting position.
- As you breathe out, start to pull the dumbbells up as if you are doing a reverse bench press. You will do this by bending at the elbows and bringing the upper arms up as you let the forearms hang. Continue this motion until the upper arms are at the same level as your back. Tip: The elbows will come out to the side and your upper arms and torso should make the letter "T" at the top of the movement. Hold the contraction at the top for a second.
- Slowly go back down to the starting position as you breathe in.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Back (primary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
- Shoulders (secondary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Start each rep by pulling the shoulder blades in first, then drive with the elbows — think of pulling with the elbows, not the hands.
- Keep the bar path close and stacked over your mid-foot; letting it drift forward wastes force and loads the lower back.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Stop a rep or two short of failure on most sets to keep form clean and recover faster.
Common mistakes
- Yanking with the arms and forgetting the back, so the biceps give out before the target muscle does.
- Loading the bar heavier than your form allows and turning strict reps into a whole-body heave.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Incline Bench Pull work?
Incline Bench Pull mainly works the back, with the shoulders helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Incline Bench Pull?
Incline Bench Pull needs a barbell and plates (plus a rack or bench where the movement calls for one).
How many sets and reps should I do for Incline Bench Pull?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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