Triceps Pushdown
Cable pushdown — isolates the triceps through a clean, controlled range.
Also called: tricep pushdown, cable pushdown, rope pushdown, triceps pressdown
Illustrations: Exercise data by RepDB (repdb.co)
Setup
Attach a bar or rope to the high pulley. Stand facing the machine, elbows tucked at your sides, hands at chest height.
How to do the Triceps Pushdown
- Push the attachment down until arms are fully extended.
- Squeeze the triceps at the bottom without shrugging.
- Let the attachment rise back up under control until forearms are parallel to the floor.
- Keep elbows pinned to your sides the whole time.
Triceps Pushdown muscles worked
The Triceps Pushdown works the triceps.
Common Triceps Pushdown mistakes
- Elbows drifting forward or flaring out.
- Leaning the whole body into the movement for extra weight.
- Cutting the top of the range short.
Scale it
Easier: Lighter weight, or switch to a band for adjustable resistance.
Harder: Pause 1 second at full extension each rep.
Pairs well with
Bench Press
Pressing a barbell or dumbbells from the chest lying on a bench — the standard heavy upper-body push.
Cable Chest Press
Pressing against constant cable tension — keeps the chest loaded through the full range, easy on the shoulder since the angle is adjustable.
Floor Press
A bench press from the floor — the same pressing pattern with a built-in range limit that spares the shoulders.
Incline Neutral-Grip Dumbbell Press
Incline pressing with palms facing each other — a shoulder-friendly grip that still builds upper chest and front shoulder strength.