Chest · Barbell
Barbell Close Grip Larsen Press
How to do the barbell close grip larsen press, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- HorizontalPush
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Lie on a flat bench holding a barbell with hands closer than shoulder-width, legs straight out and feet off the floor so there is no leg drive. Lower the bar to your lower chest with elbows tucked close to your body, then press it back up by squeezing your triceps. Stay tight and balanced throughout without using your legs.
- 1Feel your triceps take the bulk of the load with the narrow grip while
- 2your chest assists
- 3Keep your elbows close to your body and your core braced for balance
- 4Squeeze the triceps at the top and control the bar with no leg drive
Common mistakes
- Don't flare your elbows or let your wrists bend back
- Avoid bouncing the bar off your chest or arching to cheat
- Don't let your shoulders roll forward during the press
Muscles worked
The barbell close grip larsen press mainly works the mid chest and triceps, with the upper chest, lower chest, and front delts assisting.
- Mid ChestPrimary
- TricepsPrimary
- Upper ChestSupport
- Lower ChestSupport
- Front DeltsSupport
- ForearmsMinor
- Upper AbsMinor
- Lower AbsMinor
Kovo programs the barbell close grip larsen press for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More chest exercises
- How to do the archer push-up
- How to do the assisted dip
- How to do the resistance band chest flyes
- How to do the resistance band push-up
- How to do the barbell bench press
- How to do the paused bench press
Last reviewed June 2026.