Triceps Pushdown Exercise | Technique & Common mistakes

In this article:

Triceps anatomy
Tricep pushdown benefits
Technique
Form and tempo
Common mistakes
How to do a tricep pushdown at home

Roughly two thirds of our arm is made up of the tricep, making it the dominant part of the arm. If we’re looking to improve arm strength, size and appearance as a whole; then the triceps should be at the forefront of all our training plans. Sure, the biceps look good in a shirt, but the triceps make up more of the arms so size wise, this is where your focus needs to be.

Triceps Anatomy

Anatomically speaking, the triceps are made up of three heads, hence the ‘Tri’ implication. The triceps consist of the triceps lateral, medial and long heads.

Lateral head: This is located on the outside of the humerus muscle and is perhaps one of the most important sections as it is what gives the arm the curvature and overall ‘size-able’ appearance when trained properly. If you are looking to develop the infamous ‘horseshoe’ visual effect of the triceps then the lateral head must be targeted!

Medial head: Surprisingly, this is located at the back of the upper triceps; this is unusual due to the fact it would be expected to be in the middle!

Long head: Where the aim is in the name; it is the longest part of the triceps and is located running down the back of the body on the arm.

Functionally speaking, the triceps are underestimated. They are without a doubt one of the most important upper body muscles we have. From a non-gym perspective, we use them everyday in our daily activities; due to the extension at the elbow joint, any push movement we do will involve our triceps as one of the predominant muscles.

Whilst targeting the lateral head of the triceps, the triceps pushdown also exercises the primary move of the triceps (to extend at the elbow joint); applies the bicep as a secondary movement and can also be performed in a variety of ways including; triceps rope pushdowns, triceps bar pushdowns, single arm cable pushdowns, single arm rope pushdowns and many more.

There is often a tendency for the tricep pushdown to be performed incorrectly, here is a go to guide on how to prevent this from occurring

Tricep Pushdown Benefits

Works Multiple Muscles

Hitting the pushdown correctively means more muscles are working. As much as this hits your triceps primarily, it can target other muscles in supporting roles including the core, back and shoulders.

Targets T-Shirt Arms

There are more triceps than biceps. Want to fill out your sleeves, this is the move you need.

Tricep Pushdown Technique

Connect a cable bar attachment to a pulley machine.
Whilst keeping your elbows close to your stomach and your shoulders pinned back, grip the bar with a pronated grip (palms facing downwards) shoulder-width apart.
Your feet should be positioned relatively close, whilst your knees are allowed a slight bend.
Leaning slightly forwards, exhale your breath and push the bar down using only your triceps until the bar hits your hip/upper thigh region.
At this point, your arms should be fully extended and there should be considerable stress or tension placed on the triceps muscle.
Throughout the movement, your shoulders and arms should be still and the forearms should be the only muscle group moving.
Squeeze your triceps for 1 to 2 seconds and allow the muscles to sufficiently contract.
Then, as you inhale your breath, slowly release the bar back to the starting position.
Repeat the exercise again for the designated number of repetitions.

Triceps Pushdown Form and Tempo

The term ‘tempo’ refers to how quickly or slowly you perform the concentric (the positive) and eccentric (the negative) phase of an exercise. Adjusting and manipulating tempo is an excellent way to aid progressive overload.

In short, changing up the tempo of an exercise is great for beginners, as it sets a continuously controlled rhythm throughout an exercise. It can be additionally useful for advanced trainers for adding tension and can make a weight or resistance far more difficult than it usually is. The tempo of the triceps pushdown exercise can be sectioned into 3 groups:

The pushing down phase or the concentric phase, applying an extension at the elbow joint.
The brief pause after step one is finished. This is the optimal time to ‘squeeze’ the muscle and apply tension.
The releasing of the bar or the eccentric phase, using a flexion at the elbow.

Whilst it’s difficult to suggest a tempo that everyone can apply, there is a general pattern that can be linked to the triceps pushdown. As a generalisation, aim to create a rather explosive and quick tempo on the pushdown of the movement (the positive), then pause for a brief second as you squeeze and contract the triceps, before slowly releasing the weight throughout the upward release of the movement (the negative).

If you're looking for more tricep inspiration:

Triceps Pushdown | Common Mistakes

Not Focusing On All Three Heads

Training all three parts of the triceps is absolutely pivotal to overall arm progression. Developing all three heads will give your arm a more symmetrical, aesthetic and proportional appearance. Next time you train triceps, incorporate an exercise to stress each head of the triceps, applying a variety of reps, sets, rest times and machines used.

Too Much Bicep Focus

As stated previously, the triceps makes up 2/3 of the arm – therefore it is recommended to start your arms sessions with a triceps movement or set of exercises before, or alongside hitting the biceps.

Poor Form

For the full benefit of the triceps pushdown exercise, proper form and technique must be applied. The elbows must be in the correct position throughout the whole movement. The moment that the elbows lose control and move out of position, the tension will be shifted from the triceps and towards the chest and shoulders. This poor form usually happens either due to genuine poor technique or trying to lift too much weight.

How to do a tricep pushdown at home

Banded:

Take the Tricep Pushdown and replicate it at home with the resistance band.

Take any band and find a secure object to attach the band to.
It is important you feel confident the band is secure as it can rebound if it is now.
Grab the resistance band with both hands (palms facing in) just below chest height.
Keep your elbows tight into your side and push the band down towards your waist.
Hold for a second and then bring your hands back up to just below chest height.

Close Grip Push Up:

The close grip push up is a variation of the push up that focuses on hitting the triceps.

Set up by placing your palms on the floor with your thumbs touching on another.
Keeping your body straight, slowly lower yourself as far as possible without hitting the floor.
Pause for a split second before pushing back up to the starting position without locking your elbows out

Tricep Dips:

You can isolate the triceps with little equipment or space.

Position your hands shoulder-width apart on a weight bench.
With your palms on the bench and knuckles pointed towards your feet, extend your legs in front of you.
Push upwards to the starting position
Keep your elbows in and maintain tension
Hold for a second at the bottom of the movement.
Press down away from the bench to the start position