Short answer: Place your hands inside your normal push-up width, keep elbows close to the torso and lower with a rigid body. Your hands do not need to touch; choose the narrowest position that keeps wrists and shoulders comfortable.
Close-grip push-ups shift more demand toward elbow extension, making the triceps work harder. A moderate narrow position is often easier to control than an extreme hands-together setup.
Correct setup and technique
Begin with hands roughly shoulder width, then move them inward slightly. Brace, lower your chest toward your hands and keep forearms reasonably vertical. Press without letting elbows flare or hips sag.
Muscles worked
The chest and front shoulders still contribute, but the triceps usually take more work than in a standard rep. No hand position isolates one muscle completely. See the full comparison in push-up muscles worked.
Close-grip versus diamond
A diamond push-up places thumbs and index fingers close together. Close-grip describes a broader range of narrow positions. Learn that more demanding option in the diamond push-up guide.
Regressions and progression
Use a wall, counter or knees while keeping the same elbow path. Add reps first, then lower the incline. Weighted or deficit versions should wait until standard close-grip sets are comfortable.
Use 3–4 sets of 6–12 after standard push-up warm-ups. Rest 60–120 seconds and keep one or two good reps in reserve.
Give every triceps set a game outcome
RepSaga turns your completed push-ups into RPG attacks while preserving the simple workout history that keeps progression honest.
Frequently asked
Do close-grip push-ups work triceps?
Yes. The narrower position generally increases triceps demand, though chest and shoulders still work.
How close should my hands be?
Close enough to narrow the press while wrists, elbows and shoulders remain comfortable; touching hands is not required.