Close grip benches instead of regular bench press

[SirTraps]

I have been just inclining heavy as the core of my chest workout, this week i started alternating close grip benches (every other week) with inclines as the core of my chest workout.  Slightly narrower grip than shoulder width for 6-7 sets.  I was suprised at how heavy i could go.  I am going to continue this and see if i get good growth on my triceps. 

[NoCalBbEr]

keep inclines in, every week  I do both bench press for chest and close grips for my tris. but I   stay away for doing a close grip on any chest movement because it'll end up a tris movement.,  this is how some people end up have big arms but bird chest.  they go  too close and they hit tris instead of their chest. if it works for you then it cool.

[Cap]

I think suckmymuscle recommended the closer grip to me for a better stretch and contraction (more distance to move the weight) and my chest has thickened and my pressing strength has gone up due to stronger triceps.  Along with grip, look at elbow placement.  I am working with an elbow tuck as well, similar to Branch Warren and it feels great.  Try the closer grip and see if you notice a difference in stress felt and progess that is made, or not.  One thing though, after reading your post again it seems like you are just after tricep growth and strength.  Closer grip will do that but as Norcal said, do it on tricep day and work a normal press or a DB press for your chest.  You are still doing both movements and getting double benefit, especially if the BPs being worked are given enough rest. 

[thewickedtruth]

just mix it up! try doing closed grip inclines..those REALLY suck. if your regular bench grip width isn't much wider than your close grip width you won't see much in tricep work beyond what you have already but, if you're wide and come in, you'll notice a HUGE difference and it'll take a few sessions to get used to. I recently changed and love it. Let us know how it works out.

[Bluto]

why would you want to involve triceps more if you're after chest stimulation

[SirTraps]

Ive already got a big chest, and i still do incline for reps after close grips.

        id say arms lag behind a naturally big chest/back/shoulders.

[Cap]

Ive already got a big chest, and i still do incline for reps after close grips.

        id say arms lag behind a naturally big chest/back/shoulders.

I'd say go for it then.  If ever your chest lagged again at least bench strength would be good because of the tricep strength you will have.  How about the biceps?

[bmacsys]

why would you want to involve triceps more if you're after chest stimulation

I would think close grip benches would be considered a tricep movement more than a mass builder for the chest. If you tried to move some heavy weight you would run the risk of hurting your wrists pretty badly.