Machine Triceps Extension

A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a machine.

Machine Triceps Extension — Starting position Starting position
Machine Triceps Extension — End position End position
Difficulty Beginner
Type Strength
Equipment Machines
Primary Muscle Triceps
AI Rep Counting Log manually

How to Do Machine Triceps Extension

  1. Adjust the seat to the appropriate height and make your weight selection. Place your upper arms against the pads and grasp the handles. This will be your starting position.
  2. Perform the movement by extending the elbow, pulling your lower arm away from your upper arm.
  3. Pause at the completion of the movement, and then slowly return the weight to the starting position.
  4. Avoid returning the weight all the way to the stops until the set is complete to keep tension on the muscles being worked.

Muscles Worked

Front
Back

Primary

Where Machine Triceps Extension does most of its work.

Alternatives to Machine Triceps Extension

10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.

  1. 1 Cable Incline Triceps Extension

    Cable Incline Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.

    beginner Cable Machine
  2. 2 Cable Lying Triceps Extension

    Cable Lying Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.

    beginner Cable Machine
  3. 3 Cable Rope Overhead Triceps Extension

    Cable Rope Overhead Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.

    beginner Cable Machine
  4. 4 Decline Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    Decline Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  5. 5 Decline EZ Bar Triceps Extension

    Decline EZ Bar Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a barbell.

    beginner Barbell
  6. 6 Low Cable Triceps Extension

    Low Cable Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.

    beginner Cable Machine
  7. 7 One Arm Pronated Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    One Arm Pronated Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  8. 8 One Arm Supinated Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    One Arm Supinated Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  9. 9 Seated Bent-Over One-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    Seated Bent-Over One-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.

    beginner Dumbbells
  10. 10 Sled Overhead Triceps Extension

    Sled Overhead Triceps Extension

    A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps.

    beginner Not specified

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles do machine triceps extension work?

Machine Triceps Extension primarily works the triceps.

What equipment do I need for machine triceps extension?

Machine Triceps Extension uses machines.

Machine Triceps Extension: is it suitable for beginners?

Yes. Machine Triceps Extension is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.

What can I do instead of machine triceps extension?

Cable Incline Triceps Extension, Cable Lying Triceps Extension, Cable Rope Overhead Triceps Extension train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.

Can Fitnit count my machine triceps extension reps automatically?

Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; machine triceps extension can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.

Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.

Track Your Machine Triceps Extension with AI

Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.