Close Grip Bench Press

The Close Grip Bench Press primarily works the Triceps (Lateral Head), Triceps (Long Head), Triceps (Medial Head), with secondary activation of the Anterior Deltoid, Brachialis, Pectoralis Major (Clavicular), Pectoralis Major (Sternal) and stabilizer support from the Biceps Brachii (Long Head), Pectoralis Minor, Rectus Abdominis, Serratus Anterior. It is a barbell compound exercise at intermediate difficulty.

Barbell bench press with narrow grip emphasizing triceps over chest.

EquipmentBarbell
DifficultyIntermediate
TypeCompound
MovementHorizontal Push
ForcePush
LateralityBilateral
PrimaryTriceps (Lateral Head), Triceps (Long Head), Triceps (Medial Head)
SecondaryAnterior Deltoid, Brachialis, Pectoralis Major (Clavicular), Pectoralis Major (Sternal)

Muscles Worked

Front
Back
Primary Secondary Stabilizer

Primary Muscles

Secondary Muscles

Stabilizer Muscles

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Lie on bench and grasp barbell from rack with shoulder width grip. Execution: Lower weight to chest with elbows close to body. Push barbell back up until arms are straight. Repeat. Comments: Grip can be slightly narrower than shoulder width but not too close. Too close of grip can decrease range of motion, may tend tohyper-adduct wristjoint, and unnecessarily decrease stability of bar.Also seeBench Press Analysis.

Alternative Exercises

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