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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
- 01Kneel on a mat and walk the hands forward until the body leans over them.
- 02Place the hands under the shoulders or slightly inside.
- 03Cross the ankles or rest the feet on the floor behind you.
- 04Form a straight line from head to knees with the hips extended.
Execution
- 01Lower the chest toward the hands with the elbows tracking along the ribs.
- 02Stop with the chest just above the floor.
- 03Press back up to full elbow lockout.
- 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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