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Close-Grip Push-up

Exercise Profile

Body PartTriceps, Upper Arms
EquipmentBody weight
Primary MusclesTriceps Brachii
Secondary MusclesDeltoid Anterior, Pectoralis Major Clavicular Head, Pectoralis Major Sternal Head
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Introduction to the Close-Grip Push-up

The Close-Grip Push-up is an effective exercise that primarily targets the triceps, chest, and core muscles, enhancing upper body strength and stability. It's suitable for anyone from beginners to advanced fitness enthusiasts, as it can be modified according to individual strength and fitness levels. This exercise is beneficial for those seeking to improve their physical fitness, tone their upper body, and build functional strength for daily activities or other sports.

Performing the: A Step-by-Step Tutorial Close-Grip Push-up

  • Lower your body towards the floor, ensuring that your elbows are kept close to your body and not flaring out.
  • Continue to descend until your chest is just above the floor.
  • Push your body back up to the starting position, keeping your core engaged and your body in a straight line throughout the movement.
  • Repeat the exercise for your desired number of repetitions, ensuring to maintain proper form throughout.

Tips for Performing Close-Grip Push-up

  • Maintain Proper Body Alignment: Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels. Avoid sagging your hips or lifting your butt too high as this can lead to lower back strain. Engage your core muscles throughout the movement to help maintain this alignment.
  • Control Your Movement: Avoid rushing through the exercise. Lower your body slowly and push back up to the start position with control. This will help to maximize muscle engagement and reduce the risk of injury.
  • Depth of Push-up: Aim to lower your body until your chest is just a few inches from the floor. This allows for a full range of motion, which is key for getting the most out

Close-Grip Push-up FAQs

Can beginners do the Close-Grip Push-up?

Yes, beginners can do the Close-Grip Push-up exercise. However, it might be challenging as it requires good upper body strength. It's important to start slow and focus on maintaining proper form. As strength and endurance improve, the number of repetitions or sets can be increased. If it's too difficult, beginners can modify the exercise by doing the push-ups on their knees until they build up enough strength.

What are common variations of the Close-Grip Push-up?

  • Spiderman Push-Up: As you lower your body towards the ground, you simultaneously lift one foot off the ground and bring your knee towards your elbow, engaging your core and obliques.
  • One Arm Push-Up: This is a challenging variation where you perform the push-up using only one arm, which significantly increases the demand on your core and upper body strength.
  • Decline Push-Up: You place your feet on an elevated surface like a bench or step, which increases the difficulty and targets the upper chest and shoulders more.
  • Plyometric Push-Up: In this explosive variation, you push up with enough power to lift your hands off the ground, which improves your power and strength.

What are good complementing exercises for the Close-Grip Push-up?

  • Diamond Push-ups: Similar to close-grip push-ups, diamond push-ups place a greater emphasis on the triceps and the inner chest muscles, providing a more intense workout for these muscle groups and promoting muscle endurance and strength.
  • Skull Crushers: Skull crushers primarily target the triceps, similar to close-grip push-ups, but they also engage the forearms and wrists, providing a well-rounded workout that complements the focus areas of the close-grip push-up.

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