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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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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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.
Overhead Rope Extension
Description
The overhead rope extension is a great finishing movement for the triceps. It also works well when performed as a superset with the standing tricep extension exercise that has your elbows positioned below your shoulders. To effectively perform this superset, you would first perform a set of the overhead rope extensions and once failure is reached, you would then shift positions and perform a set of the traditional rope extension. Recall that your triceps can exert a greater force when your elbow is positioned below your shoulder. This is known as a pre-exhaustion superset.
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Execution
- Clip the rope onto the pulley attachment.
- Facing in the opposite direction as the pulley, reach overhead and grasp the rope using a neutral grip. Take a giant step forward to initiate the elevation of the weight stack.
- While maintaining spinal alignment, flex forward slightly at the hips. At this point, the thumbs should be positioned atop of your head with elbows facing straight ahead.
- Exhale, extend arms and upon full extension, twist rope and angle palms towards the ground to achieve an optimal contraction within the triceps.
- Inhale and allow arms to bend back to starting position at a controlled speed.
- Repeat until the desired number of repetitions are completed.