Exercise Guide

Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension

One dumbbell lowered behind the head with both hands. The overhead position stretches the long head of the triceps, which pushdowns barely touch.

BeginnerStrengthPushIsolation
Form
Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension - Start position
Start
Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension - Mid position
Mid
Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension - End position
End

Illustrations by Bryl Lim for Workout Guide, after Everkinetic. Used unchanged under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Details

Primary Muscle

Triceps

Equipment

Dumbbell

Difficulty

Beginner

Category

Strength

Force

Push

Mechanic

Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Shoulders
How to Perform
  1. 1

    Sit or stand holding one dumbbell overhead in both hands, arms straight.

  2. 2

    Keep your upper arms beside your ears and your elbows pointing forward.

  3. 3

    Bend your elbows to lower the weight behind your head until you feel a stretch.

  4. 4

    Extend your elbows to press it back overhead.

Tips
  • The elbows stay put - letting them flare wide takes the stretch out of the long head.
  • Brace your core so your ribs do not flare and your back does not arch.
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Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension — How To, Form & Muscles Worked | ripped.club