Close-Grip Bench Press alternatives
If the Close-Grip Bench Press isn't happening today — the equipment is taken, you don't have it, or the movement doesn't feel right — here are 8 substitutes for the same job, each with what changes.
Which one when
- The equipment is taken or missing. Take the same movement on other equipment — Bodyweight: Close-Grip Push-Ups, Dips, Bench Dips; Dumbbells: Close-Grip Dumbbell Press; Machines and cables: Smith Machine Close-Grip Bench Press.
- Same equipment, different angle or grip. If the movement feels off but the equipment is there — JM Press, Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press, Reverse-Grip Triceps Bench Press.
- It hurts. If it's uncomfortable, try a substitute with a different grip or a machine and go lighter. Sharp pain, or pain that doesn't go away, is a reason to see a doctor, not to search for a substitute on a list.
- Different equipment: Bodyweight instead of Barbell.
- Same muscle: Triceps.
- An isolation move: one joint works, so it's easier to finish the muscle off.
- A lower entry bar: 1 of 3 versus 2.
- The load is your bodyweight: progress with reps, or a belt and a plate.
2Dips
- Different equipment: Bodyweight instead of Barbell.
- Most of the work goes to another group: Chest.
- Same entry bar: 2 of 3.
- The load is your bodyweight: progress with reps, or a belt and a plate.
- Different equipment: Bodyweight instead of Barbell.
- Same muscle: Triceps.
- An isolation move: one joint works, so it's easier to finish the muscle off.
- A lower entry bar: 1 of 3 versus 2.
- The load is your bodyweight: progress with reps, or a belt and a plate.
- Different equipment: Dumbbells instead of Barbell.
- Same muscle: Triceps.
- A lower entry bar: 1 of 3 versus 2.
5Smith Machine Close-Grip Bench Press
- Different equipment: Machines and cables instead of Barbell.
- Same muscle: Triceps.
- Equipment: Barbell.
- Same muscle: Triceps.
- An isolation move: one joint works, so it's easier to finish the muscle off.
- A higher entry bar: 3 of 3 versus 2 — start light.
7Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press
- Equipment: Barbell.
- Same muscle: Triceps.
8Reverse-Grip Triceps Bench Press
- Equipment: Barbell.
- Same muscle: Triceps.
These are the same substitutes I show in the bot under "Alternatives", plus catalog exercises for the same muscle and movement. Difficulty is shown where I've broken the exercise down on its own page.
Swapping in the diary
In the bot, substitutes live on the exercise card: Exercises → the exercise → Alternatives. If one isn't in your list yet, I'll add it with one tap. A substitute keeps its own history and records — I don't mix them with the main exercise, so progress on each stays honest.
Log the substitute as its own exercise — I'll remember the weight and reps and give you a target next time.
Prefer Telegram? Open the bot — same diary.
Read next
Position photos from the open free-exercise-db.