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Exercise

Dumbbell Seated Triceps Extension

Dumbbell Seated Triceps Extension
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Dumbbell Seated Triceps Extension

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How to Perform

  1. Sit on a bench with your back straight, feet firmly planted on the floor, and grab a single dumbbell with both hands, cupping the upper end of the weight.
  2. Raise the dumbbell overhead with arms fully extended and palms facing the ceiling, keeping your elbows pointed forward.
  3. Inhale as you slowly lower the weight behind your head by bending at the elbows while keeping your upper arms stationary and close to your ears.
  4. Control the descent until your forearms reach just below parallel to the floor or until you feel a stretch in your triceps.
  5. Maintain a neutral wrist position throughout the movement and keep your core engaged to prevent arching your lower back.
  6. Exhale as you extend your elbows to raise the dumbbell back to the starting position, focusing on contracting your triceps.
  7. Keep your shoulders down and relaxed throughout the exercise, avoiding the tendency to shrug them toward your ears.
  8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, maintaining control of the weight without using momentum.

Important information

  • Keep your elbows pointed forward and as close to your head as possible to maximize triceps engagement and minimize shoulder strain.
  • If you experience any elbow pain, try using a lighter weight or adjusting your grip width on the dumbbell.
  • Maintain a slight bend in your elbows at the top position to keep tension on the triceps and protect your elbow joints.
  • For better stability, press your lower back into the bench and avoid leaning forward during the movement.

Exercise Details

Primary Muscles

Triceps

Muscle Groups

Arm exercises

Mechanic

Isolation

Risk Areas

Triceps

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The Dumbbell Seated Triceps Extension stands as a cornerstone exercise for anyone looking to develop impressive triceps definition and strength. This intermediate-level movement specifically targets the triceps brachii—the three-headed muscle that runs along the back of your upper arm—providing an effective isolation that's difficult to achieve with compound movements alone.

When incorporated into a bodybuilding regimen, this exercise allows for precise muscle targeting and the kind of controlled tension that stimulates optimal growth. The seated position creates a stable platform that lets you focus entirely on proper form and muscle engagement without compensating with other body parts, making it particularly valuable during recovery phases when stability is paramount.

What makes this movement particularly effective is how it works all three heads of the triceps muscle, with special emphasis on the long head. This comprehensive targeting is essential for balanced development and that coveted horseshoe appearance at the back of the arm that many fitness enthusiasts strive for. The controlled nature of the seated position also makes this exercise remarkably joint-friendly compared to some more explosive triceps movements.

From a strength development perspective, the Dumbbell Seated Triceps Extension offers progressive overload potential that translates well to improved performance in pressing movements like bench press and shoulder press. The isolated nature helps identify and overcome triceps weaknesses that might be limiting your compound lift numbers.

Whether you're looking to add definition to your arms for aesthetic purposes or build functional pushing strength, this exercise delivers remarkable results when performed consistently. The beauty of this movement lies in its versatility—it can be performed with a single dumbbell held with both hands for greater weight, or with lighter dumbbells in each hand for more stabilization work and balanced development. Either approach will contribute significantly to both your physique goals and overall upper body strength.

FAQ - Dumbbell Seated Triceps Extension

What muscles do Seated Triceps Extensions target?

This exercise primarily targets all three heads of the triceps brachii, with particular emphasis on the long head that runs along the back of your upper arm. The controlled nature of the movement creates optimal tension for muscle growth and definition.

How can I ensure proper form during this exercise?

Stand facing the cable machine with the ankle attachment secured, maintain a slight bend in your supporting leg, and keep your core engaged throughout the movement. Focus on driving the movement from your glutes rather than your lower back, and avoid arching or rounding your spine.

How often should I include Seated Triceps Extensions in my workout routine?

For optimal results, perform this exercise 1-2 times weekly with 48-72 hours of recovery between triceps-focused workouts. Include 3-4 sets of 8-12 repetitions, adjusting the weight to ensure the last few reps of each set are challenging but doable with proper form.

Can I perform this exercise with one dumbbell instead of two?

Yes, using a single dumbbell held with both hands allows for heavier loading and greater overall tension on the triceps. Alternatively, using individual dumbbells in each hand helps address strength imbalances and requires more stabilization, making it ideal for balanced development or rehabilitation purposes.

What are common mistakes to avoid with Seated Triceps Extensions?

Avoid flaring your elbows outward, which shifts tension away from the triceps and puts stress on the shoulders. Don't use momentum by rocking your torso, as this reduces effectiveness and increases injury risk. Finally, don't overextend at the top of the movement by locking out your elbows, which can cause joint strain.

Alternative Exercises

Cable Overhead Triceps Extension

Cable Overhead Triceps Extension

The Cable Overhead Triceps Extension stands as a cornerstone movement for anyone serious about developing impressive triceps definition and functional pushing strength. This intermediate exercise targets the often-neglected long head of the triceps muscle, which contributes significantly to that coveted horseshoe appearance when properly developed. Unlike some isolation movements, this exercise allows for consistent tension throughout the range of motion, making it particularly effective for bodybuilders seeking that detailed separation between muscle groups. The cable mechanism provides steady resistance that free weights simply can't match, challenging your triceps from a fully stretched position to complete contraction. For strength enthusiasts, regular implementation of this movement can translate to improved performance in compound pushing exercises like bench press and military press. The stability demands of the overhead position also engage your core and shoulders as secondary stabilizers, creating a more integrated strength development approach while maintaining primary focus on the triceps. When incorporated into a well-designed upper body routine, this exercise serves as an excellent finisher after heavier compound movements have pre-exhausted the larger muscle groups. Bodybuilders particularly appreciate how the exercise allows for precise control over the contraction and peak tension points, enabling that crucial mind-muscle connection that drives hypertrophy. Many intermediate lifters find this movement bridges the gap between basic triceps work and more advanced techniques. The exercise responds well to various repetition schemes—whether you're pursuing the pump with higher reps or focusing on strength development with more moderate loading patterns. What makes the Cable Overhead Triceps Extension particularly valuable in a strength program is its ability to strengthen the triceps in a position that mimics overhead pressing motions. This carryover effect can help break through plateaus in military press and other overhead movements where triceps strength often becomes the limiting factor.

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Stability Ball Pike Push-Up

Stability Ball Pike Push-Up

The Stability Ball Pike Push-Up stands as a formidable challenge in the realm of advanced bodyweight training, elevating the traditional push-up to an entirely new dimension of difficulty. This movement seamlessly blends shoulder strength development with core stabilization, making it a powerful addition to any serious fitness enthusiast's repertoire. This exercise primarily targets the front deltoids, the anterior portion of your shoulders responsible for that coveted capped look, while simultaneously engaging the triceps as crucial secondary movers. What truly sets this exercise apart, however, is the extraordinary core engagement required to maintain proper positioning throughout the movement. Perfect for integration into high-intensity interval training sessions or CrossFit WODs, the Stability Ball Pike Push-Up delivers maximum stimulus with minimal equipment. The instability factor introduces an element that traditional gym machines simply cannot replicate, forcing your body to recruit stabilizing muscles throughout your entire kinetic chain. Bodybuilders also appreciate this movement for its ability to isolate and sculpt the shoulders while maintaining functional strength patterns. The compound nature of this exercise makes it particularly effective for developing practical, real-world strength. As you progress with this movement, you'll notice improvements in overhead pressing power, core stability, and overall body control. The intense demand placed on your core musculature creates a synergistic effect, enhancing total-body strength beyond what isolated movements can achieve. For those seeking to break through plateaus in their fitness journey, the Stability Ball Pike Push-Up represents an excellent progression tool. The instability of the ball coupled with the inverted body position creates a unique challenge that forces muscular adaptation. This exercise embodies the principle that true strength isn't just about moving weight: it's about controlling your body through space with precision and power.

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High Pulley Overhead Tricep Extension

High Pulley Overhead Tricep Extension

The High Pulley Overhead Tricep Extension stands as a quintessential isolation movement for anyone serious about developing their triceps. This intermediate-level exercise has earned its place in countless bodybuilding and strength training programs due to its effectiveness at targeting the triceps brachii with remarkable precision. When you're looking to add definition and power to the back of your arms, this movement delivers consistent results by emphasizing the long head of the triceps—the largest portion of the muscle that significantly contributes to that coveted horseshoe appearance. The beauty of using the cable pulley system lies in the constant tension it provides throughout the entire range of motion, something free weights simply cannot replicate with the same efficiency. For intermediate lifters who have mastered basic tricep movements, the High Pulley Overhead Extension offers the perfect progression to continue challenging these muscles. The exercise excels at isolating the triceps while minimizing involvement from supporting muscle groups, making it particularly valuable for bodybuilders seeking targeted hypertrophy in their arm development strategy. Strength athletes benefit from this movement as well, as stronger triceps translate to improved performance in pressing movements like the bench press and overhead press. The overhead position specifically trains the triceps in a stretched state, which research suggests may optimize muscle growth and development of functional strength through a complete range of motion. While primarily known as a bodybuilding staple, this exercise bridges the gap between aesthetic-focused training and practical strength development. The controlled nature of the movement allows for focused mind-muscle connection—a critical component for maximizing growth stimulus in any resistance training program. Whether incorporated into an arm-specific training day or as a finishing movement in a push workout, the High Pulley Overhead Tricep Extension delivers exceptional value for intermediate lifters committed to building impressive, powerful arms.

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Push-Up to Renegade Row

Push-Up to Renegade Row

The Push-Up to Renegade Row combines two powerful compound movements, creating an intermediate-level exercise that delivers remarkable bang for your buck in minimal time. This dynamic pairing targets multiple major muscle groups simultaneously, with primary activation in the pectoral muscles, triceps, and anterior deltoids during the push-up phase, then shifting focus to the latissimus dorsi during the row component. What makes this exercise particularly effective is its ability to transition seamlessly between pushing and pulling patterns, creating a comprehensive upper body challenge that also demands significant core stability throughout the entire movement sequence. The stabilizing effects reach beyond just the primary movers, engaging the rotational muscles of the core, rhomboids, and even the lower body as you maintain a rigid plank position. Athletes across various disciplines incorporate this exercise into their regimens for different purposes. HIIT enthusiasts appreciate its cardiovascular demands when performed with pace, while CrossFit athletes value its functional strength carryover to more complex movements. Bodybuilders might employ slower, more controlled variations to maximize time under tension for muscle hypertrophy. From a strength development perspective, the Push-Up to Renegade Row builds balanced upper body power while addressing common weaknesses in core anti-rotation capabilities. This makes it particularly valuable for athletes seeking to improve performance while reducing injury risk. The unilateral component of the row helps identify and correct strength imbalances between sides. Research suggests that multi-planar exercises like this one promote greater neuromuscular coordination than single-plane movements alone, potentially enhancing overall athletic performance. The intensity can be easily modified through weight selection, rep schemes, and tempo manipulation, making it adaptable to various fitness levels despite its intermediate classification. Whether you're looking to build functional strength, enhance muscle definition, or improve athletic performance, the Push-Up to Renegade Row deserves consideration as a time-efficient addition to your training arsenal.

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