How to Do Straight Raises on Incline Bench
Start and end of one clean rep of Straight Raises on Incline Bench.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Shoulders |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Back |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Straight Raises on Incline Bench
- Place a bar on the ground behind the head of an incline bench.
- Lay on the bench face down. With a pronated grip, pick the barbell up from the floor, keeping your arms straight. Allow the bar to hang straight down. This will be your starting position.
- To begin, raise the barbell out in front of your head while keeping your arms extended.
- Return to the starting position.
Muscles worked
- Shoulders (primary): raises and rotates the arms and drives everything overhead.
- Back (secondary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
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
- Keep the ribs down and the glutes tight so the lower back doesn't arch to 'help' the weight up.
- 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.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
Common mistakes
- Pressing with the lower back arched instead of a braced, stacked torso.
- 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 Straight Raises on Incline Bench work?
Straight Raises on Incline Bench mainly works the shoulders, with the back helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Straight Raises on Incline Bench?
Straight Raises on Incline Bench 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 Straight Raises on Incline Bench?
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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