Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press

What it is

You perform this compound pushing exercise on a flat bench using an EZ-Bar. It primarily engages your triceps to build strength and size. Your chest and shoulders provide secondary assistance throughout the movement.

Technique tips

• Maintain a narrow grip on the EZ-Bar.
• Keep your elbows tucked close to your body.
• Lower the bar slowly to your lower chest.
• Inhale as you lower the bar, exhale as you press up.
• Drive the bar up by extending your triceps fully.
• Control the movement; do not bounce the bar.

How to track your progress

Log the weight and reps of each set. Straddly turns every set into an estimated one-rep max, so a heavier single and a strong set of eight both count as progress, and it flags a personal record the moment you beat your best.