Barbell Tricep Extension vs Close Grip Bench Press
Maximizing Your Triceps Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Close Grip Bench Press more often — 3,186 sessions vs 765. Compare Triceps form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Triceps Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Tricep Extension and Close Grip Bench Press for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Tricep Extension vs Close Grip Bench Press : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Close Grip Bench Press more often — 3,186 sessions compared to 765 for Barbell Tricep Extension.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Tricep Extension and Close Grip Bench Press differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Tricep Extension and Close Grip Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Barbell Tricep Extension | Close Grip Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | triceps | chest and triceps |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 765 sessions | 3,186 sessions |
How to Barbell Tricep Extension
Barbell Tricep Extension muscles worked: Triceps
Form
- 1. Keep your elbows fixed and lower your arms behind your head.
- 2. After lowering them behind your head, slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please be careful not to overextend your arms.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Tricep Extension, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Tricep Extension Guide page of our blog!
How to Close Grip Bench Press
Close Grip Bench Press muscles worked: Triceps
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches your chest.
- 2. Bend your elbows as you go down.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell back up to return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward past your chest, as it can put strain on your shoulders.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Triceps, Barbell Tricep Extension or Close Grip Bench Press?
Planfit users log Close Grip Bench Press more often — 3,186 sessions against 765 for Barbell Tricep Extension. Both train Triceps, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Barbell Tricep Extension and Close Grip Bench Press work the same muscles?
Not quite. Barbell Tricep Extension loads triceps, and Close Grip Bench Press loads chest and triceps.
What equipment do Barbell Tricep Extension and Close Grip Bench Press need?
Barbell Tricep Extension needs a barbell, and Close Grip Bench Press needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Close Grip Bench Press is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Tricep Extension once your form holds up.
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