10 Best EZ Barbell JM Bench Press Alternatives for Gym or Home
The EZ Barbell JM Bench Press is done lying on your back with an EZ bar. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Barbell Lying Close-grip Press, the Close-grip Barbell Bench Press and the Jm Press.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle
- Triceps
- Equipment
- Ez-barbell
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Chest, Shoulders
How to perform EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
- Grasp the ez barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lower the barbell to your chest, keeping your elbows tucked in close to your body.
- Push the barbell back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked EZ Barbell JM Bench Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the EZ Barbell JM Bench 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. Barbell Lying Close-grip Press
99% match- Triceps
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the triceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
- Grasp the barbell with a close grip, hands shoulder-width apart, palms facing towards your feet.
- Lift the barbell off the rack and hold it directly above your chest with your arms fully extended.
- Slowly lower the barbell towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Pause for a moment when the barbell touches your chest, then push it 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
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press

2. Close-grip Barbell Bench Press
99% match- Triceps
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie back on a flat bench. Using a close grip (around shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked. This will be your starting position.
- As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your middle chest. Tip: Make sure that - as opposed to a regular bench press - you keep the elbows close to the torso at all times in order to maximize triceps involvement.
- After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your triceps muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
- Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
- When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press

3. Jm Press
99% match- Triceps
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start the exercise the same way you would a close grip bench press. You will lie on a flat bench while holding a barbell at arms length (fully extended) with the elbows in. However, instead of having the arms perpendicular to the torso, make sure the bar is set in a direct line above the upper chest. This will be your starting position.
- Now beginning from a fully extended position lower the bar down as if performing a lying triceps extension. Inhale as you perform this movement. When you reach the half way point, let the bar roll back about one inch by moving the upper arms towards your legs until they are perpendicular to the torso. Tip: Keep the bend at the elbows constant as you bring the upper arms forward.
- As you exhale, press the bar back up by using the triceps to perform a close grip bench press.
- Now go back to the starting position and start over.
- Repeat for the recommended amount 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 EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press

4. Close-grip Ez-bar Press
99% match- Triceps
- Ez-barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the triceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Lie on a flat bench with an EZ bar loaded to an appropriate weight.
- Using a narrow grip lift the bar and hold it straight over your torso with your elbows in. The arms should be perpendicular to the floor. This will be your starting position.
- Now lower the bar down to your lower chest as you breathe in. Keep the elbows in as you perform this movement.
- Using the triceps to push the bar back up, press it back to the starting position by extending the elbows as you exhale.
- Repeat.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
5. Ez-bar Close-grip Bench Press
99% match- Triceps
- Ez-barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
- Grasp the ez barbell with a close grip, hands shoulder-width apart, palms facing forward.
- Lift the barbell off the rack and hold it directly above your chest with your arms fully extended.
- Slowly lower the barbell towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Pause for a moment when the barbell touches your chest.
- Push the barbell back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- 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 EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press

6. Reverse Triceps Bench Press
97% match- Triceps
- Barbell
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie back on a flat bench. Using a close, supinated grip (around shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked extended in front of you and perpendicular to the floor. This will be your starting position.
- As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your middle chest. Tip: Make sure that as opposed to a regular bench press, you keep the elbows close to the torso at all times in order to maximize triceps involvement.
- After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your triceps muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
- Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
- When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Triceps
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
- Grasp the barbell with a reverse grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
- Lift the barbell off the rack and hold it directly above your chest with your arms fully extended.
- Slowly lower the barbell down towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Pause for a moment when the barbell is just above your chest.
- Push the barbell back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- 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 EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
8. Dumbbell Twisting Bench Press
96% match- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip, palms facing away from you.
- Extend your arms straight up over your chest, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
- Lower the dumbbells down towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- As you lower the dumbbells, twist your wrists so that your palms face towards you at the bottom of the movement.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then reverse the movement by pressing the dumbbells back up to the starting position.
- As you press the dumbbells up, twist your wrists back to the starting position with palms facing away from you.
- 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 EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
9. Dumbbell Neutral Grip Bench Press
95% match- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back pressed against the bench.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip (palms facing each other) and your arms extended straight up over your chest.
- Slowly lower the dumbbells down towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push the dumbbells back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- 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 EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press

10. Close-grip Dumbbell Press
95% match- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Place a dumbbell standing up on a flat bench.
- Ensuring that the dumbbell stays securely placed at the top of the bench, lie perpendicular to the bench with only your shoulders lying on the surface. Hips should be below the bench and your legs bent with your feet firmly on the floor.
- Grasp the dumbbell with both hands and hold it straight over your chest at arm's length. Both palms should be pressing against the underside of the sides of the dumbbell. This will be your starting position.
- Initiate the movement by lowering the dumbbell to your chest.
- Return to the starting position by extending the elbows.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: flat horizontal press, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the EZ Barbell JM Bench Press
EZ Barbell JM Bench Press FAQ
What muscles does EZ Barbell JM Bench Press work?
The JM press primarily targets the triceps, especially the long and lateral heads, through repeated elbow extension under load. It also recruits the anterior deltoids and clavicular pecs to stabilize the shoulder during the descent. Cue: keep elbows slightly tucked to concentrate force through the triceps.
Can I build muscle without doing EZ Barbell JM Bench Press?
Yes. Hypertrophy depends on progressive overload, volume, and consistent tension, not a single exercise. Use close-grip bench, skull crushers, dips, and tempo work with full elbow extension to effectively stimulate triceps growth.
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