Breathing
Inhale during the controlled lowering phase and exhale as you press away. Avoid holding your breath unintentionally.
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The Close-Grip Barbell Bench Press primarily works the triceps, with the chest and shoulders supporting the movement. It is a strength movement performed with barbell.
1 / 2How to
Movement instructions
Lie back on a flat bench. Using a close grip (around shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.
As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your middle chest. Tip: Make sure that - as opposed to a regular bench press - you keep the elbows close to the torso at all times in order to maximize triceps involvement.
After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your triceps muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.
Technique guidance
Inhale during the controlled lowering phase and exhale as you press away. Avoid holding your breath unintentionally.
General guidance based on the exercise and equipment. It is not personal coaching or medical advice.
Your progress
Keep the same barbell setup, range of motion and recording method when comparing Close-Grip Barbell Bench Press sessions.
Weight, repetitions and completed sets.
Example: 3 sets of 8 reps at 30 kg. Next time, record the actual result, even if it is the same.
Look for more repetitions at the same weight, or a heavier weight for comparable repetitions. Total weight lifted also changes when you add sets, so it is not a strength score.
Read the tracking guideThe examples show how to keep a record. They are not workout targets or a personalised training plan.
See how Jijibisha tracks your progressMuscles
Muscle guide
Triceps is the primary muscle group. The lighter highlights show the supporting muscles involved in the movement.
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Different equipment, same muscle
These movements also target the triceps using something else.
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