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Exercises › Triceps › Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press

Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press

Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press is a beginner compound barbell exercise that mainly works your triceps, with help from your chest and shoulders.

💪 Triceps🏋️ Barbell📈 Beginner🔗 Compound🎯 3-5 sets of 5-10 reps
Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press: starting position
Starting position
Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press: end position
End position

How to do the close-grip ez-bar press

  1. Lie on a flat bench with an EZ bar loaded to an appropriate weight.
  2. 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.
  3. Now lower the bar down to your lower chest as you breathe in. Keep the elbows in as you perform this movement.
  4. Using the triceps to push the bar back up, press it back to the starting position by extending the elbows as you exhale.
  5. Repeat.

Muscles worked

Primary: TricepsSecondary: ChestSecondary: Shoulders

Sets and reps

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

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Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.

DipsBodyweight · BeginnerDip MachineMachine · BeginnerJM PressBarbell · BeginnerClose-Grip Dumbbell PressDumbbell · BeginnerRing DipsOther · IntermediateTriceps PushdownCable · Beginner

FAQ

What muscles does the close-grip ez-bar press work?

It mainly works your triceps; your chest and shoulders assist.

How many sets and reps of close-grip ez-bar press should I do?

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

Is the close-grip ez-bar press good for beginners?

Yes. It is a beginner-friendly movement: start light and focus on the form steps above.

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