Close Grip

A close grip push-up focuses much more on the triceps muscles than the pecs. You bring the hands in close together so that the pec muscles are no longer in a mechanical position to do as much work. The close grip is great as an upper-arm exercise too, because it works the triceps under that wavy skin area on the upper arm. It is also a nice adjunct to a powerlifting routine to help lock out a bench press.

1. Perform the standard push-up with the hands directly underneath the shoulders or touching each other.
2. Instead of letting the elbows angle out slightly during the exercise, keep them close to the body.