10 Best Incline Close-grip Push-up Alternatives for Triceps Strength

The Incline Close-grip Push-up is done lying face down. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Incline Push-up Close-grip, the Medicine Ball Close Grip Push Up and the Close-grip Push-up (On Knees). Six harder versions, among them the Close-grip Push-up Off Of A Dumbbell and the Body-up, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

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

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

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

  1. Place your hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench or step, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, with your body forming a straight line from head to heels.
  3. Lower your chest towards the elevated surface by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
  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.

The 10 Best Incline Close-grip Push-up Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Incline 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. Incline Push-up Close-grip

    1. Incline Push-up Close-grip

    99% match

    Triceps · Beginner · Compound

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

    • Bodyweight
    How to perform it
    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
    • Movement: incline press, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
  2. Close-grip Push-up Off Of A Dumbbell

    Progression

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

    88% match

    Triceps · Intermediate · Compound

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

    • Bodyweight
    How to perform it
    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
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Incline Close-grip Push-up
  3. Medicine Ball Close Grip Push UpPlay demonstration

    3. Medicine Ball Close Grip Push Up

    85% 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
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up

  4. Progression

    4. Body-up

    85% match

    Triceps · Intermediate · Compound

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

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

    84% match

    Triceps · Beginner · Compound

    It uses the same equipment and 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
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up
    • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Close-grip Push-up

Incline Close-grip Push-up FAQ

What muscles does Incline Close-grip Push-up work?

The exercise primarily drives triceps brachii through elbow extension, with the lateral and long heads highly active when elbows stay close to the body. Secondary muscles include the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major and anterior deltoid for shoulder stabilization, plus serratus anterior and scapular stabilizers to control the thorax. Cue: keep elbows tucked ~30–45° to bias triceps over chest.

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

Yes. Triceps hypertrophy responds to progressive overload across any elbow‑extension movement, bench presses, dips, pushdowns, and overhead extensions all work. Prioritize progressive loading, increase time under tension with controlled eccentrics, and use cues like full extension and a brief squeeze at lockout to maximize muscle activation.

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