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Close-Grip Push-Up (On Knees)

A knee-supported close-grip push-up that shortens the lever to reduce load, letting newer lifters train the triceps-biased pressing pattern with full range.

ArmsBodyweightHorizontal press
GoLightWeight mediaclose-grip-push-up-on-knees

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

Triceps

Secondary

Pectoralis majorAnterior deltoidsCore

Equipment

Bodyweight

Pattern

Horizontal press

Setup

  1. 01Kneel on a mat and walk the hands forward until the body leans over them.
  2. 02Place the hands under the shoulders or slightly inside.
  3. 03Cross the ankles or rest the feet on the floor behind you.
  4. 04Form a straight line from head to knees with the hips extended.

Execution

  1. 01Lower the chest toward the hands with the elbows tracking along the ribs.
  2. 02Stop with the chest just above the floor.
  3. 03Press back up to full elbow lockout.
  4. 04Keep the hips locked in line with the shoulders and knees.

Checkpoints

  • -The hips stay extended; the body does not fold at the waist.
  • -Elbows stay tucked, not flared out to the sides.
  • -Depth is full on every rep, chest close to the floor.

Common mistakes

  • -Piking the hips so only the arms and chest move a few inches.
  • -Keeping the hands too far forward, which shifts work off the triceps.
  • -Flaring the elbows wide.
  • -Rushing reps instead of controlling the descent.

Programming notes

  • -Use 2 to 4 sets of 10 to 20 reps as a progression toward full close-grip push-ups.
  • -Once 15 to 20 clean reps are easy, move to full push-ups or an incline version.
  • -Useful as a burnout set after full push-ups reach failure.

Related exercises

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