10 Best Incline Push-up Close-grip Alternatives for Home and Gym

Ranked Incline Push-up Close-grip Alternatives

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

   87% 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

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

   Progression

   2. Incline Close-grip Push-up

   99% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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.

   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 Push-up Close-grip
   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
3. 

   Progression

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

   89% 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

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
4. Play demonstration

   Progression

   4. Body-up

   86% 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 Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
5. 

   Progression

   5. Push-ups - Close Triceps Position

   86% 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

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
6. Play demonstration

   Progression

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

   84% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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 Push-up Close-grip
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
7. Play demonstration

   Progression

   7. Close-grip Push-up

   84% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   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

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
8. 

   Progression

   8. Incline Push-up Reverse Grip

   82% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • 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 on the bar palms up, with your hands about shoulder width apart.
   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 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: incline press, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not triceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
9. Play demonstration

   Progression

   9. Incline Reverse Grip Push-up

   82% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place your hands on the edge of a bench or elevated surface, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   2. Extend your legs behind you, resting on the balls of your feet, creating a straight line from your head to your heels.
   3. Lower your chest towards the bench 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 extending 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: incline press, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not triceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
   • Body position: lying face down, the same as the Incline Push-up Close-grip
10. Play demonstration

    10. Narrow Push-up On Exercise Ball

    81% match

    • Triceps
    • Stability-ball
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    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

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