Appears in642 Workouts*

Cable Straight-Bar Tricep Pushdown

Target all three heads of the triceps with this essential cable classic. The straight bar offers a stable grip for maximizing tension and building serious upper-arm strength and definition.

Exercise video 2
Mr. Grey
JustGains_XY
@JustGains_XY

Required Equipment

Cable Machine thumbnail
Cable Machine

Muscle Groups

Primary

Secondary

Instructions

Setup

  • Attach a straight-bar handle to a high-pulley cable machine.

  • Stand facing the machine with your feet hip-width apart.

  • Grasp the bar with an overhand grip, hands spaced roughly shoulder-width.

Movement

  • Start with your elbows tucked close to your torso and bent at approximately a 90-degree angle, with the bar held near your upper chest.

  • Contract your triceps to push the bar downwards in a controlled arc until your arms are fully extended towards your thighs.

  • Focus on maintaining a stationary upper arm position; only your forearms should move.

  • Squeeze your triceps at the bottom of the movement for a brief second.

  • Slowly return to the starting position by allowing your elbows to hinge, resisting the weight on the way up.