Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell

An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the triceps, needing no equipment.

Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell — Starting position Starting position
Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell — End position End position
Difficulty Intermediate
Type Strength
Equipment No Equipment
Primary Muscle Triceps
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell

  1. Lie on the floor and place your hands on an upright dumbbell. Supporting your weight on your toes and hands, keep your torso rigid and your elbows in with your arms straight. This will be your starting position.
  2. Lower your body, allowing the elbows to flex while you inhale. Keep your body straight, not allowing your hips to rise or sag.
  3. Press yourself back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Breathe out as you perform this step.
  4. After a pause at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell does most of its work.

Secondary

Assisting and stabilising muscles.

Alternatives to Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell

10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.

  1. 1 Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension

    Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension

    An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    intermediate Dumbbells
  2. 2 Dumbbell One-Arm Triceps Extension

    Dumbbell One-Arm Triceps Extension

    An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    intermediate Dumbbells
  3. 3 Push-Ups

    Push-Ups

    The push-up is a fundamental bodyweight exercise that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders while engaging the core. It's one of the most effective exercises for building upper body strength without equipment.

    beginner No Equipment AI tracked
  4. 4 Push-Ups - Close Triceps Position

    Push-Ups - Close Triceps Position

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the triceps, needing no equipment.

    intermediate No Equipment
  5. 5 Seated Bent-Over Two-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    Seated Bent-Over Two-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    intermediate Dumbbells
  6. 6 Close-Grip Dumbbell Press

    Close-Grip Dumbbell Press

    A beginner compound strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  7. 7 Standing One-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    Standing One-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  8. 8 Bench Press

    Bench Press

    The bench press is the most popular upper body exercise for building chest strength and muscle mass. It's a compound movement that also develops the triceps and anterior deltoids.

    intermediate Barbell
  9. 9 Standing Bent-Over One-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    Standing Bent-Over One-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  10. 10 Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher

    Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher

    An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the triceps, using a barbell.

    intermediate Barbell

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do close-grip push-up off of a dumbbell work?

Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell primarily works the triceps. The abs, chest and shoulders assist as secondary muscles.

What equipment do I need for close-grip push-up off of a dumbbell?

None. Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell is a bodyweight movement you can do anywhere you have floor space.

Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell: is it suitable for beginners?

Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.

What can I do instead of close-grip push-up off of a dumbbell?

Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension, Dumbbell One-Arm Triceps Extension, Push-Ups train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my close-grip push-up off of a dumbbell reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; close-grip push-up off of a dumbbell can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.

Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.

Track Your Close-Grip Push-Up off of a Dumbbell with AI

Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.