How to perform Barbell Bench Press Close Grip with proper form
Setup
- Equipment: Use a standard flat bench and a barbell.
- Positioning: Lie flat on the bench with your back supported and feet firmly on the ground. Ensure your body is centered.
- Grip: Grasp the barbell with a close grip (about shoulder-width apart) using an overhand grip (palms facing away).
Execution
- Starting Position: Lift the barbell off the rack with extended arms, keeping it directly above your chest.
- Lowering the Bar: Inhale and lower the bar slowly towards your chest, keeping your elbows tucked in closer to your body (approximately a 45-degree angle).
- Depth: Lower the bar until it lightly touches your chest.
- Pressing: Exhale and push the barbell back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms without locking the elbows.
Tips for Proper Form
- Engage Core: Keep your core tight to maintain stability.
- Foot Position: Keep your feet flat on the ground to avoid lifting your hips.
- Controlled Movement: Perform the movement in a controlled manner, avoiding bouncing the bar off your chest.
- Spotter: Use a spotter if lifting heavy to ensure safety.
Key Points
- Maintain a neutral wrist position.
- Keep your head, shoulders, and buttocks on the bench throughout the movement.
- Focus on triceps engagement for effective results.
Exercises

Arnold Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Arnold Press, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Ball Slams, Medicine Ball
Type: Core, Upper
Target: Shoulders, Back
Synergist: Chest, Abs

Battle Ropes, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Core
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Back

Behind The Neck Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Triceps

Behind The Neck Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Triceps

Behind The Neck Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Triceps

Bench Dip, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Back, Chest

Bench Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bench Press, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bench Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bench Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bench Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bench Press, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bench Press Close Grip, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest

Bench Press Close Grip, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest

Bench Press Close Grip, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest

Bench Press Wide Grip, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bench Press Wide Grip, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Bent Over One Arm Row, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest

Bent Over Row, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms

Bent Over Row, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms

Bent Over Row, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms

Bent Over Row, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms

Bent Over Row, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms

Bent Over Row, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms

Bicep Curl, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms

Bicep Curl, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms

Bicep Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms

Bicep Curl, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms

Bicep Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms

Bicep Curl, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms

Cable Crossover, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders

Cable Kickback, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Chest Dip, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Back, Triceps

Chest Fly, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders

Chest Fly, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders

Chest Fly, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders

Chest Fly, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders

Chest Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders

Chest Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders

Chin Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Chest

Chin Up, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Chest

Clean, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms

Clean and Jerk, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Back, Shoulders
Synergist: Calves, Biceps, Chest, Forearms

Concentration Curl, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Concentration Curl, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Concentration Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Concentration Curl, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Deadlift High Pull, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Biceps, Forearms, Calves, Back
Decline Bench Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Decline Bench Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Face Pull, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Back
Front Raise, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Front Raise, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Front Raise, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Front Raise, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Front Raise, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Hammer Curl, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms, Biceps
Synergist: Shoulders
Hammer Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms, Biceps
Synergist: Shoulders
Hammer Curl, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms, Biceps
Synergist: Shoulders
Handstand Push Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest
Hang Clean, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Biceps, Forearms
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest
High Row, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
High Row, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
Incline Bench Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press Wide Grip, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Chest Fly, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders
Incline Chest Fly, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Biceps, Shoulders
Incline Chest Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Chest Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Chest Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Incline Row, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Incline Row, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Inverted Row, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Kettlebell Swing, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Core
Target: Shoulders, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves
Kettlebell Swing, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Lower, Core
Target: Shoulders, Glutes
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves
Kneeling Pulldown, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
Lat Pulldown, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Abs, Chest
Lat Pulldown, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Abs, Chest
Lateral Raise, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Lateral Raise, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Lateral Raise, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Lateral Raise, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Lateral Raise, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Legs Up Bench Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Lying Bicep Curl, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Lying Bicep Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Muscle Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Back, Chest, Triceps
Overhead Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Overhead Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Overhead Press, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Pec Deck, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Pendlay Row, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Preacher Curl, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Preacher Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Preacher Curl, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Preacher Curl, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps
Synergist: Forearms
Pull Up, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
Pull Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
Pull Up, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
Pullover, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps
Pullover, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps
Push Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Chest
Push Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Chest
Push Press, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Chest
Push Press, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Chest
Push Up, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Push Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Reverse Curl, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Synergist: Biceps
Reverse Curl, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Synergist: Biceps
Reverse Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Synergist: Biceps
Reverse Curl, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Synergist: Biceps
Reverse Fly, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Back
Reverse Fly, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Back
Reverse Fly, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Back
Reverse Wrist Curl, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Reverse Wrist Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Reverse Wrist Curl, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Seated Front Raise, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Seated Front Raise, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest
Seated Overhead Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Seated Palms Up Wrist Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Seated Row, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Seated Row, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Seated Row, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Seated Wide Grip Row, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Shoulder Press, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Shoulder Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Shoulder Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Shoulder Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Shoulder Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Shoulder Press Parallel Grip, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Shrug, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Shrug, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Shrug, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Shrug, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Shrug, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Shrug, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Skullcrusher, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Skullcrusher, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Skullcrusher, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Skullcrusher, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Snatch, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Back, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Chest, Triceps
Squat Row, Band
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Glutes, Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Hamstrings, Chest, Quadriceps, Calves
Standing Row, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Standing Row Close Grip, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms
Standing Row Rear Delt With Rope, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Back
Standing Row Rear Delt, Horizontal, With Rope, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Back
Standing Row V-Bar, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Sumo Deadlift High Pull, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Biceps, Forearms, Calves, Back
T Bar Row, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Shoulders, Biceps, Forearms, Chest
Thruster, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves, Triceps
Triceps Dip, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Back, Chest, Shoulders
Triceps Dip, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Back, Chest, Shoulders
Triceps Extension, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Triceps Extension, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Triceps Extension, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Triceps Extension, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Triceps Pushdown, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Upright Row, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Chest, Back
Upright Row, Cable
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Chest, Back
Upright Row, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Chest, Back
Upright Row, Band
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Chest, Back
Wide Pull Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders
Wrist Curl, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Wrist Curl, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Wrist Curl, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms
Wrist Roller, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Forearms