10 Best Close-grip Push-up (On Knees) Alternatives for Triceps Strength

Ranked Close-grip Push-up (On Knees) Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees) on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for 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. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Medicine Ball Close Grip Push Up

   91% match

   • Triceps
   • Medicine-ball
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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 (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
2. Play demonstration

   Progression

   2. Close-grip Push-up

   99% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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.

   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 (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
3. Play demonstration

   Progression

   3. Diamond Push-up

   94% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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 (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
4. 

   Progression

   4. Close-grip Push-up Off Of A Dumbbell

   94% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on the floor and place your hands on an upright dumbbell. Supporting your weight on your toes and hands, keep your torso rigid and your elbows in with your arms straight. This will be your starting position.
   2. Lower your body, allowing the elbows to flex while you inhale. Keep your body straight, not allowing your hips to rise or sag.
   3. Press yourself back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Breathe out as you perform this step.
   4. After a 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 (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
5. Play demonstration

   Progression

   5. Body-up

   90% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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 (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
6. 

   Progression

   6. Push-ups - Close Triceps Position

   90% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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 (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
7. Play demonstration

   7. Narrow Push-up On Exercise Ball

   86% match

   • Triceps
   • Stability-ball
   • Advanced
   • Compound

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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 (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
8. 

   Progression

   8. Body Tricep Press

   85% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Position a bar in a rack at chest height.
   2. Standing, take a shoulder width grip on the bar and step a yard or two back, feet together and arms extended so that you are leaning on the bar. This will be your starting position.
   3. Begin by flexing the elbow, lowering yourself towards the bar.
   4. Pause, and then reverse the motion by extending the elbows.
   5. Progress from bodyweight by adding chains over your shoulders.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
9. Play demonstration

   9. Band Close-grip Push-up

   84% match

   • Triceps
   • Band
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place a band around your upper arms, just above the elbows.
   2. Assume a push-up position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your body in a straight line from head to heels.
   3. Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
   4. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
   • Equipment: a band, not bodyweight only
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
10. 

    10. Incline Push-up Close-grip

    84% match

    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
    2. Place your hands next to one another on the bar.
    3. Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. This will be your starting position.
    4. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
    5. Return to the starting position by extending the elbows, pressing yourself back up.

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

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)