10 EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press Alternatives for Triceps
The EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press is done lying on your back with an EZ bar. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Incline Push-up Close-grip, the Close-grip Push-up Off Of A Dumbbell and the Incline Close-grip Push-up.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Primary muscle
- Triceps
- Equipment
- Ez-barbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Chest, Shoulders
How to perform EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Lie on a decline bench with your head lower than your feet.
- Grasp the ez barbell with a close grip, palms facing each other.
- Extend your arms straight up above your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Lower the barbell towards your forehead by bending your elbows.
- Pause for a moment, then press the barbell back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press 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.
Best match 
1. Incline Push-up Close-grip
71% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the triceps with bodyweight alone.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand facing a Smith machine bar or sturdy elevated platform at an appropriate height.
- Place your hands next to one another on the bar.
- Position your feet back from the bar with arms and body straight. This will be your starting position.
- Keeping your body straight, lower your chest to the bar by bending the arms.
- 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 EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- 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.
- Lower your body, allowing the elbows to flex while you inhale. Keep your body straight, not allowing your hips to rise or sag.
- Press yourself back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Breathe out as you perform this step.
- 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
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
3. Incline Close-grip Push-up
70% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Place your hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, with your body forming a straight line from head to heels.
- Lower your chest towards the elevated surface by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- 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
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
4. Body-up
67% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- 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.
- Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then push through your palms to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
- 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 EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back

5. Push-ups - Close Triceps Position
67% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- 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.
- Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
- 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.
- 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
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
6. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)
67% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge of the bench, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
- 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 EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
7. Bench Dip (Knees Bent)
67% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
- Slide your butt off the bench and straighten your legs in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
- 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
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, not lying on your back
8. Bench Dip On Floor
66% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- 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 EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, not lying on your back
9. Three Bench Dip
66% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position.
- 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 EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, not lying on your back
10. Close-grip Push-up (On Knees)
66% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by getting on your hands and knees, with your hands shoulder-width apart and your knees hip-width apart.
- Lower your upper body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
- Pause for a moment when your chest is just above the ground.
- Push through your palms to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
- 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
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not lying on your back
EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press FAQ
What muscles does EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press work?
It primarily targets the triceps, lateral and medial heads, with less long-head involvement due to the decline angle. Secondary muscles include the anterior deltoid and lower pec; keep elbows tucked 30–45° to emphasize elbow extension and minimize shoulder flexion.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to EZ Barbell Decline Close Grip Face Press?
Weighted dips are the top bodyweight substitute because they deliver heavy elbow extension torque and full-range triceps loading. Lean slightly forward, keep elbows close to your torso, and descend under control to maximize lateral/medial head activation while protecting the shoulder.
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