Triceps Pushdown
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Triceps Pushdown
- Attach a straight or angled bar to a high pulley and grab with an overhand grip (palms facing down) at shoulder width.
- Standing upright with the torso straight and a very small inclination forward, bring the upper arms close to your body and perpendicular to the floor. The forearms should be pointing up towards the pulley as they hold the bar. This is your starting position.
- Using the triceps, bring the bar down until it touches the front of your thighs and the arms are fully extended perpendicular to the floor. The upper arms should always remain stationary next to your torso and only the forearms should move. Exhale as you perform this movement.
- After a second hold at the contracted position, bring the bar slowly up to the starting point. Breathe in as you perform this step.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Triceps Pushdown
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.
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1
Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.
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2
Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.
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3
Triceps Pushdown - V-Bar Attachment
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a cable machine.
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4
Decline Dumbbell Triceps Extension
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.
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5
Decline EZ Bar Triceps Extension
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a barbell.
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6
Machine Triceps Extension
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using a machine.
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7
One Arm Pronated Dumbbell Triceps Extension
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.
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8
One Arm Supinated Dumbbell Triceps Extension
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.
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9
Seated Bent-Over One-Arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.
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10
Seated Triceps Press
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the triceps, using dumbbells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do triceps pushdown work?
Triceps Pushdown primarily works the triceps.
What equipment do I need for triceps pushdown?
Triceps Pushdown uses cable machine.
Triceps Pushdown: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Triceps Pushdown 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 triceps pushdown?
Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown, Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment, Triceps Pushdown - V-Bar Attachment train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my triceps pushdown reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; triceps pushdown 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 Triceps Pushdown 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.