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Exercise Guide

How to do machine high incline hammer chest press

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The machine high incline hammer chest press specifically targets the upper portion of the pectoral muscles and the anterior deltoids. The high incline angle shifts the focus upward, helping to build a full, well-developed chest. Using a machine provides a fixed path of motion, allowing you to safely push heavy loads with controlled form, making it an ideal choice for hypertrophy and strength gains.

Stats

TIER
2
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
High Incline Chest Press Machine
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Triceps, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Machine Adjustment: Adjust the incline angle to approximately 60-75 degrees (a higher incline than the standard incline press).
  2. Seat Adjustment: Position the seat so that the handles are roughly aligned with your upper chest to shoulders when your arms are extended.
  3. Grip: Grasp the handles with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
  4. Body Position: Sit back against the pad with your head resting comfortably. Keep your core engaged and feet planted firmly.

The Lift:

  1. Press Forward: Exhale and smoothly press the handles forward and slightly up, extending your arms until they are almost straight, but avoid locking out your elbows.
  2. Squeeze: Contract your upper chest muscles at the peak of the movement.
  3. Controlled Return: Inhale and slowly return the handles back to the starting position, resisting the weight as you bring it back towards your chest.

Tips:

  • Focus on the Upper Chest: Keep your attention on the contraction in your upper chest muscles.
  • Shoulder Blades: Retract your shoulder blades and keep them pinned together throughout the movement.
  • Control the Movement: Avoid using momentum or bouncing the weight. Perform the exercise with a slow and controlled tempo in both the pressing and returning phases.

Common mistakes: Letting the elbows flare out excessively and lifting the lower back off the backrest.

Alternatives

Bench

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Seated Fly Machine

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Bench

cable lying fly

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Crossover Cable

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Cable

cable low chest fly

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Barbell

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Chest Press Machine

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Incline Chest Press Machine

machine incline chest press

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Barbell

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Crossover Cable

cable standing fly

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Dumbbell

dumbbell fly

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Crossover Cable

cable standing crossovers

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High Incline Chest Press Machine

machine high incline hammer chest press

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Barbell

barbell paused incline bench press

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None

clap push up

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Bench

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Bench Press

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Bench

decline push up

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dips between chair

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Resistance Band

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Seated Dip Machine

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None

wide grip push-up

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Barbell

barbell paused decline bench press

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Dip Bar

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Bench

bench dip on floor

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None

push up

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Bench

cable lying pullover

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Bench

dumbbell close grip bench press

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Dumbbell

push-up row

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Cable

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Decline Chest Press Machine

machine decline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Cable

cable bench press

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Barbell

dumbbell incline fly

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Bench

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Smith Machine

smit-machine bench press

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Smith Machine

smit-machine incline bench press

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None

diamond push up

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None

incline push-up

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None

floor triceps dips

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Resistance Band

assisted chest dip

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Bench

barbell decline bench press

ChestFront Shoulder+2
None

burpee

ChestTriceps+7