Incline Push-Up

Setup

Hands on an elevated surface (box, bench, step), feet on the floor, body in a straight line.

Execution

1. 1Lower the chest toward the elevated surface
2. 2Keep the body rigid, no sagging
3. 3Press back up to full extension
4. 4Maintain elbow angle around 45 degrees

Key cues

• Straight line from head to heels
• Higher surface = easier, lower = harder
• Elbows at 45 degrees
• Full range of motion every rep

Common faults

• Sagging hips
• Using a surface too low, making it not actually easier
• Flaring elbows
• Partial range of motion

Tweaks

• Gradually lower the surface height over weeks to progress
• Add tempo work
• Combine with band-assisted push-up for further regression

Muscles

Sources

• Incline Push-Up - ExRx.net style reference
• Push-up progression standards - NSCA guidelines

Attribution: General calisthenics canon