Bench Dips
Description
As mentioned in our triceps training article, the triceps are at their greatest strength potential when they are positioned below shoulder level. Since tricep bench dips are performed with the triceps being at their strongest angle, this is a great exercise to build strength and size. Especially considering the amount of weight that can be added to the movement.
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Execution
- Stand between two flat benches. Place your palms on the inside edge of one and your heels on the other. Your arms should be at shoulder-width and your elbows should be facing behind you throughout the movement.
- If needed, have your spotter rest a barbell on top of your thighs. The added resistance will increase the difficulty.
- Inhale and lower down slowly by bending at the elbow until arms reach a 45-65degree angle. Allowing the arms to bend to 90 degrees will place unnecessary stress on the shoulder joint.
- Exhale and extend arms back up to starting position.
- Repeat until desired number of repetitions are completed.
Placing your feet at a higher elevation than your arms may help to increase the blood flow to the triceps.
A good way to drop set this exercise is to have your spotter place a few barbells on your thighs and have him/her gradually remove then one by one as you reach failure.
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Tricep Press
Description
The close grip press is considered to be one of the best ways to add lean mass to your triceps because if they’re done with enough weight, they recruit all 3 heads of the triceps. The close grip press is also an excellent movement to perform immediately after reaching failure on a set of lying triceps extensions with an easy-curl bar. Super-setting the two movements would be classed as the pre-exhaustion method and is effective in bringing the muscle to complete failure.
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Execution
- Lie with your back flat atop the bench and grasp the barbell using an open hand grip. Your hands should be positioned between 6-12 inches apart - whatever is most comfortable.
- Lift the barbell of the rack and hold it with your arms extended. This is the starting position for the exercise.
- Inhale and at a controlled speed, lower the barbell down to a position approximately 4-6 inches from the lower chest. The elbows should be right alongside of the rib cage.
- Exhale and drive the barbell back up to starting position by extending your arms. Keep your elbows facing downwards (towards legs) throughout the movement.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Performing the close grip press using an underhand grip is also a great way to target the triceps.
Seated Triceps Extension
Description
The seated tricep extension - as with most other machine exercises - is a great way to gain introductory experience to the new movement. The minimal need for stability allows the trainee to focus on feeling the contraction rather then trying to perform a complex motor movement.
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Execution
- Adjust the machine to the appropriate settings (seat height and resistance). Sit down and place the back of your arm against the padding provided.
- Grasp the handles using a neutral grip and ensure that the elbows are positioned shoulder width apart.
- Exhale and extend your arms while keeping your triceps in contact with the padding. Once your arms are straight, briefly hold the position and focus on the contraction.
- Inhale and at a controlled speed, allow your arm to bend back to starting position.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
As your arm moves back into flexion (the eccentric portion of the movement) you’ll typically be able to handle more resistance as our muscles are stronger as they’re lengthening. Having your spotter apply additional resistance by pushing against the metal handle supports is a great way to increase the difficulty of the exercise.
Dumbbell Kickbacks
Description
Dumbbell kickbacks are a great finishing movement for the triceps. Since it’s an isolation movement that is typically performed with little weight, it’s not the best selection to begin your workout with. Dumbbell kickbacks have some unique characteristics that differentiate it from other movements for the triceps. For example, studies have been conducted that show that the triceps produce their most effective isometric contraction when the arm is bent at a 90 degree angle. Exercises with an external torque pattern that mimic this loading pattern are the close grip press and standing tricep extension exercise. Dumbbell kickbacks on the other hand have an opposite torque pattern that overloads the muscle at its weakest position in extension. With the overload occurring while the arm is fully extended, all three heads of the triceps are recruited.
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A Video Demonstrating How To Perform Dumbbell Kickbacks Is Coming Soon!
Execution
- Grasp an appropriately weighted dumbbell. If the dumbbell is being held in your right hand, flex your left leg at the knee and rest it atop a flat bench.
- Bend over at the waist and support yourself by placing your left hand atop the bench as well. Proper positioning at this point has your back flat, your left arm extended with hand atop the bench and the upper portion of your right arm should be parallel with the floor.
- Exhale, fully extend your arm and briefly hold the contracted (extended) position. Keep your back flat throughout the motion.
- Inhale and slowly return back to starting position, ensuring that you control the resistance the whole time as opposed to simply dropping your arm.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
- Switch sides and repeat.
Standing Tricep Extension (Rope)
Description
The standing tricep extension exercise is a convenient and effective way to target the triceps. It’s suitable for both beginners and advanced trainees alike as the different handle-attachments make the movement quite versatile. You can use this movement to start your workout, finish your workout - or both. When training your triceps, starting with the standing tricep extension exercise is a good idea because it’s so effective at warming up your elbow joint. Once your heavy exercises are completed, performing cable extensions as a finisher is a great way to isolate specific muscles within the triceps. The traditional method - which is described below - focuses on the medial and lateral heads of the triceps.
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Execution
- Stand in an upright position with knees slightly bent. Grasp the bar/rope using a closed grip and position your elbows directly underneath your shoulders. The starting position should have your arms tight to your sides at an angle slightly less than 90 degrees.
- Exhale and extend elbow until your arm is fairly straight. Briefly hold this position and focus on the contraction felt within the triceps.
- Inhale and in a controlled motion, allow your arms to slowly drift back into starting position.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Allowing your elbows to swing out from the sides of your body will allow you to lift more weight which will recruit the long head of the biceps for assistance.
Several handles are available, each recruit different muscles throughout the forearm. Using the rope allows you to twist your hands to a point where your knuckles are facing the ground. This finishing movement allows for a better contraction of the triceps.
Facing away from the cable column and reaching overhead to grab the rope is yet another variation. Details on how to perform the overhead rope extension can be made accessed by clicking the link.
Triceps Roll Out
Description
Once your triceps are fatigued and your workout is coming to an end, that’s when you perform this movement. This exercise is a great way to train the triceps with minimal equipment, which makes this perfect for home based training programs. Unlike a lot of other movements for the triceps, this particular exercise requires a great deal of stabilization to properly execute. In order to stabilize, additional muscles are recruited - particularly throughout the core region. On the downside, the stabilization requirements make performing this exercise somewhat difficult for beginner trainees to execute.
Execution
- From a kneeling position, place your palms atop an exercise ball. Your arms should be extended and your knees are to be positioned behind your hips.
- Tighten up your abdominal region to protect your lower back.
- Inhale and at a controlled speed, flex arms and gradually move your forearms onto the ball. The ball will be rolling away from you as the movement progresses.
- Exhale and fully extend arms.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Moving into a position that has your knees off the floor will increase the difficulty and make stabilizing the movement more difficult.
To further increase the level of difficulty, place your legs atop a bench.
Triceps Extension (No Equipment)
Description
For whatever reason, if you’re unable to make it to the gym, this is ine of the best home arm exercises to target the triceps. No equipment is required, yet it still delivers an excellent workout. Simply locate a sturdy railing-type apparatus wherever you may be, and you’re ready to begin.
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A Video Demonstrating How To Perform Home Arm Exercises Is Coming Soon!
Execution
- Place hands atop the railing using a grip that has your palms facing down. Your arms should be shoulder width apart and ideally, you’ll want to select a railing that aligns with your midsection.
- Slide feet back slightly, flex forward at the hips and contract the core to maintain spinal alignment.
- Inhale and allow arms to bend until the back of your hands come in gentle contact with your forehead. Do not allow the elbows to drift out to the sides. They should be kept in alignment with the shoulders.
- Exhale and extend arms back up to starting position.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
By placing the feet further back will increase the difficulty of the exercise.
Standing Dumbbell Curls
Description
Standing dumbbell curls are so effective because the dumbbells allow for great mobility. The key when performing standing dumbbell curls is to turn your palm from a neutral to supinated position (gradually turn palms up) as you’re flexing your arm. The bicep muscle is involved in supination so turning the palms up as you flex your arm is the most effective method to achieve an optimal contraction. When working with individual dumbbells instead of a single barbell, you have the freedom to train one arm at a time. A great time to do this (perform reps with 1 arm at a time) is once you’ve fatigued while performing simultaneous repetitions. Performing alternating arm curls post-failure allows you to take the muscle fibers to a further extent of exhaustion.
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Execution
- Grasp appropriately weighted dumbbells using a closed grip. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and slightly bend the knees. While standing upright, roll shoulders back and slightly spread the chest. Hands and dumbbells should be in neutral position.
- Exhale, flex at the elbows and gradually supinate hands at around the mid-point of the motion (wrist should begin rotating into a position with palm facing upwards when arm reaches a 90 degree angle).
- Continue motion until hands are fully supinated and approximately 6-8inches from shoulders. Briefly hold the position and flex the biceps.
- Inhale and lower the weights back down using a reverse motion that has you shifting hand position back into neutral at a 90 degree angle.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Performing standing dumbbell curls using the rope attachment and a pulley system is yet another way to perform the exercise. The same principals apply, especially turning the palms upwards during the midpoint of the contraction.
Once fatigue sets in and you are unable to perform anymore duel repetitions, you can perform reps with one arm at a time. This will allow for a longer rest period between repetitions. This technique is a good way to further exhaust the biceps.
Preacher Curls
Description
Due to the angle, the preacher curl exercise is an excellent way to target the biceps - particularly the lower portion of the muscle. When performing the preacher curl exercise, it’s important to keep your back and neck in an upright position and your elbows on the padding. Doing so will prevent injuries to both the spine and the elbows.
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Execution
- Grasp the easy-curl bar, sit down and ensure that you don’t round your shoulders or allow your head to protrude forward.
- Exhale and while keeping your triceps in contact with the pad, flex your arms, drawing your palms towards your shoulders.
- Inhale and lower weight down in a controlled motion until your arms reach full extension.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Using dumbbells instead of an easy-curl bar when performing the preacher curl exercise allows you to strengthen one arm at a time. The use of dumbbells also allows you to rotate your palm upwards throughout the contraction - which further enhances the recruitment of the biceps.
Preacher Curl Machine
Description
The preacher curl machine - along with most other machine exercises - is a great way to gain introductory experience to a new movement. The minimal need for stability allows the trainee to place primary emphasis on the muscle contraction rather than performing a complex motor movement.
Video
The Preacher Curl Machine Exercise Video Is Coming Soon!
Execution
- Adjust the machine to the appropriate settings, sit down and place the triceps (upper/rear arm) against the padding on the machine.
- Grasp the handles using your desired grip. Remember, a wide grip stresses the inner region while a narrow grip stresses the outer region of the biceps.
- Exhale, flex at the elbows and curl the handles up towards the shoulder region.
- Inhale, extend at the elbows and lower back down at a controlled speed.
- Repeat until desired number of repetitions are completed.
Variations
Allowing your training partner to apply slight resistance against the handles during the downward (eccentric) phase of the exercise is an effective way to increase the difficulty through variable resistance.