Cable Tricep Pushdown (Bar)

Stand tall at a high cable with a straight or V-bar attachment. Keep your elbows tucked near your sides and extend the forearms down until the arms are straight, then return under control. Avoid letting the shoulders roll forward or the elbows drift.

Muscles worked

Primary

Equipment

Cable Tricep Pushdown (Bar) exercise demonstration

How to do it

  1. Stand tall at a high cable with a straight bar or V-bar.
  2. Take a narrow overhand grip and pin your elbows against your ribs.
  3. Push the bar down by extending only the elbows until the arms are straight.
  4. Squeeze the triceps for one count at the bottom.
  5. Control the bar back up until your forearms are parallel to the floor.

Watch for

  • Elbows drifting forward, which turns it into a chest press.
  • Body leaning over the bar to help move the weight.
  • Shoulders rolling forward on the return.

Breathing

Exhale as you press down, inhale as you control the bar back up.

Tip

Drop the load by 20% if your elbows cannot stay pinned. Clean reps load the triceps better than heavier cheats.

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