Incline Push-Up Close-Grip
How to do the Incline Push-Up Close-Grip
- 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.
How to program the Incline Push-Up Close-Grip
Sets and reps
As a compound movement, the Incline Push-Up Close-Grip responds well to heavier loading. For strength, work in the 3–5 sets of 4–8 reps range with 2–3 minutes of rest between sets. For muscle growth, 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps with 90 seconds of rest is the classic hypertrophy zone. Place it early in your session, when you're freshest, and leave 1–3 reps in reserve on most sets.
Progression
The Incline Push-Up Close-Grip is beginner-friendly. Start with a load (or rep count) you can complete with clean form on every set, then add a small amount of weight or 1–2 reps each week. When you hit the top of your rep range on all sets, increase the load and drop back to the bottom of the range — simple double progression.
Secondary muscles worked
Put the Incline Push-Up Close-Grip into a plan
Generate a free, personalized workout plan that programs this and hundreds of other exercises around your goals.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Incline Push-Up Close-Grip work?
The Incline Push-Up Close-Grip primarily targets the Triceps. It also recruits the Chest, Shoulders as supporting muscles.
What equipment do I need for the Incline Push-Up Close-Grip?
You need Body Only. Difficulty level: Beginner.
How many sets and reps of the Incline Push-Up Close-Grip should I do?
For strength, do 3–5 sets of 4–8 reps with 2–3 minutes rest. For muscle growth, do 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps with about 90 seconds rest.
