10 Best Close-grip Push-up Alternatives for At-Home Triceps Training

The Close-grip Push-up is done lying face down. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees), the Close-grip Push-up Off Of A Dumbbell and the Medicine Ball Close Grip Push Up. A harder version, the Diamond Push-up, is listed below as a progression rather than a swap.

Close-grip Push-upWatch the Close-grip Push-up

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Close-grip Push-up

The steps for the Close-grip Push-up itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Triceps, with chest, shoulders · Bodyweight · Intermediate · Compound

  1. Start in a high plank position with your hands placed close together, directly under your shoulders.
  2. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
  3. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Close-grip Push-up Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Close-grip Push-up on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

  1. Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)Play demonstration

    1. Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)

    99% match

    Triceps · Beginner · Compound

    Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the triceps.

    • Bodyweight
    How to perform it
    1. Start by getting on your hands and knees, with your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart.
    2. Lower your upper body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    3. Pause for a moment when your chest is just above the ground.
    4. Push through your palms to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
  2. Diamond Push-upPlay demonstration

    Progression

    2. Diamond Push-up

    95% match

    Triceps · Advanced · Compound

    Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the triceps.

    • Bodyweight
    How to perform it
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands close together, forming a diamond shape with your thumbs and index fingers.
    2. Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe, engaging your core and glutes.
    3. Lower your chest towards the diamond shape formed by your hands, keeping your elbows close to your body.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
  4. Medicine Ball Close Grip Push UpPlay demonstration

    4. Medicine Ball Close Grip Push Up

    92% match

    Triceps · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have a medicine ball to work with, and it still works the triceps.

    • Medicine-ball
    How to perform it
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands on the medicine ball, shoulder-width apart.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    3. Push back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
  5. Body-upPlay demonstration

    5. Body-up

    90% match

    Triceps · Intermediate · Compound

    The same equipment, taken with an overhand grip.

    • Bodyweight
    How to perform it
    1. Start by placing your hands on a raised surface, such as a bench or parallel bars, with your palms facing down and fingers pointing forward.
    2. Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground and your body straight.
    3. Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
    4. Pause for a moment, then push through your palms to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
  6. Push-ups - Close Triceps Position

    6. Push-ups - Close Triceps Position

    90% match

    Triceps · Intermediate · Compound

    The same equipment, taken with a narrow grip.

    • Bodyweight
    How to perform it
    1. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands closer than shoulder width for a close hand position. Make sure that you are holding your torso up at arms' length.
    2. Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
    3. Using your triceps and some of your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position and squeeze your chest. Breathe out as you perform this step.
    4. After a second pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
  7. Narrow Push-up On Exercise BallPlay demonstration

    7. Narrow Push-up On Exercise Ball

    87% match

    Triceps · Advanced · Compound

    A good swap when you have a stability ball to work with, and it still works the triceps.

    • Stability-ball
    How to perform it
    1. Place the stability ball on the ground and position yourself in a push-up position with your hands on the ball, slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
    3. Lower your chest towards the ball by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Close-grip Push-up

Why You Might Need a Close-grip Push-up Alternative

You might swap close-grip push-ups due to wrist pain, limited shoulder mobility, or a need for greater progressive overload. Alternatives let you change hand position, grip neutrality, or external load to shift stress off the wrists and increase triceps recruitment. For wrist issues pick neutral-grip dips or banded extensions; for strength progression use close-grip bench press or weighted dips. Keep elbows tucked and scapula stable to preserve triceps-dominant movement and control joint loading while maintaining effective elbow extension mechanics.

How to Choose the Right Close-grip Push-up Substitute

Choose a substitute based on equipment, pain history, and the overload pathway you need. If you lack weights, pick diamond push-ups or banded triceps extensions and use slower eccentrics to increase time under tension; cue a slow 3–4 second lowering phase. If you need progressive overload, use close-grip bench press or weighted dips and add small increments of load. For shoulder or wrist pain select neutral-grip variations and focus on keeping elbows close to the torso to emphasize the triceps rather than the anterior deltoid.

Close-grip Push-up FAQ

What muscles does Close-grip Push-up work?

Close-grip push-ups primarily target the triceps brachii via elbow extension while the pecs and anterior deltoids assist. Tucking the elbows close to the ribs increases lateral and medial triceps activation and reduces shoulder shear, improving elbow-driven force production.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Close-grip Push-up?

Diamond push-ups are the best direct bodyweight substitute because the narrow hand placement concentrates load on the triceps. Set your hands in a diamond under the sternum, keep a rigid plank, and drive through the palms while elbows track close to maximize triceps recruitment.

Can I build muscle without doing Close-grip Push-up?

Yes, progressive overload and adequate volume drive hypertrophy regardless of the exact movement. Use weighted dips, close-grip bench press, banded triceps extensions, or increase intensity on diamond push-ups with a weighted vest or slower eccentrics to overload the triceps and stimulate growth.

Work Up or Down From This Exercise

Harder progressions

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