Muscles / Triceps

Triceps

The three-headed elbow extensor on the back of the upper arm. Overhead positions load the long head more; pushdowns bias lateral/medial heads.

Anatomy on this page

Long head

Crosses the shoulder; stretched in overhead extensions.

Lateral head

Outer horseshoe visible in pushdowns.

Medial head

Deep head active in all lockouts.

Primary exercises

NameEquipmentPatternDifficulty
Overhead Triceps ExtensionDumbbellIsolationBeginner
Skull CrusherBarbellIsolationIntermediate
Triceps PushdownCableIsolationBeginner

Also involves this group (secondary)

NameEquipmentPatternDifficulty
Barbell Bench PressBarbellHorizontal PushBeginner
Chest DipBodyweightVertical PushIntermediate
Incline Dumbbell PressDumbbellHorizontal PushIntermediate
Overhead PressBarbellVertical PushIntermediate
Push-UpBodyweightHorizontal PushBeginner