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Exercise Guide

How to do barbell close grip bench press

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

The barbell close grip bench press is a highly effective compound exercise primarily targeting the triceps brachii, while also engaging the chest and shoulders. By narrowing your hand placement on the bar, you shift the mechanical load away from the pectorals and onto the arms. This variation is essential for building upper body pressing power and enhancing triceps thickness and definition.

Stats

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Bench, Barbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Triceps, Chest, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Position: Lie flat on a bench, with your feet firmly on the floor. Position yourself so your eyes are under the barbell.
  2. Grip: Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, with your hands about shoulder-width apart or slightly closer. Your thumbs should be just outside your smooth part of the bar.
  3. Unrack: Lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over your chest with your arms locked.

The Lift:

  1. Lower: Inhale and slowly lower the barbell to your lower chest/sternum area. Keep your elbows tucked close to your body.
  2. Press: Exhale and press the barbell back up to the starting position, focusing on using your triceps to move the weight.
  3. Squeeze: Squeeze your triceps at the top of the movement.

Tips:

  • Tucking your elbows is crucial for targeting the triceps and protecting your shoulders.
  • A grip that is too narrow can put stress on your wrists. Shoulder-width is a good starting point.
  • Control the descent; don't let the bar bounce off your chest.

Common mistakes: Flaring elbows out too wide which increases shoulder strain, gripping the bar too narrowly (causing wrist discomfort), and bouncing the barbell off the chest at the bottom of the movement.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable one arm tricep pushdown

Triceps
Cable

cable pushdown(with rope)

Triceps
Cable

cable one arm side triceps pushdown

Triceps
Bench

barbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable bent overhead tricep extension

Triceps
Cable

cable overhead triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell incline two arm triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable lying triceps extension(low)

Triceps
Cable

cable reverse grip triceps pushdown(sz-bar)

Triceps
Bench

barbell seated overhead triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm tricep extension

Triceps
Cable

cable lying triceps extension

Triceps
Bench

barbell lying triceps extension

Triceps
Triceps Extension Machine

machine triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable triceps pushdown(SZ bar)

Triceps
Decline Bench

ez-barbell decline triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm kickback

Triceps
Bench

dumbbell triceps kickback

Triceps
Dip Bar

weighted triceps dips

TricepsChest+1
None

dips on chair

TricepsChest+1
Barbell

barbell incline close grip bench press

TricepsFront Shoulder+1
None

kneeling triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell lying triceps extension

Triceps
Ez Barbell

ez-barbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable triceps pushdown(v-bar)

Triceps
Smith Machine

smit-machine close grip bench press

TricepsChest+1
Bench

barbell close grip bench press

TricepsChest+1