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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:
- Position: Lie flat on a bench, with your feet firmly on the floor. Position yourself so your eyes are under the barbell.
- 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.
- Unrack: Lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over your chest with your arms locked.
The Lift:
- Lower: Inhale and slowly lower the barbell to your lower chest/sternum area. Keep your elbows tucked close to your body.
- Press: Exhale and press the barbell back up to the starting position, focusing on using your triceps to move the weight.
- 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