Barbell Lying Close-Grip Press

Lie down on a flat bench. Grab the barbell with a close grip, approximately shoulder-width apart. Unrack the barbell from the rack and extend your arms directly above your chest. Slowly lower the barbell down towards your chest while keeping your elbows close to your body. Pause briefly when the barbell is just above your chest. Push the barbell back up to the starting position by extending your arms. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

How to perform the Barbell Lying Close-Grip Press

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Barbell Lying Close-Grip Press using your barbell.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your triceps.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your triceps rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

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