Lying Cable Triceps Extension — start position
Start
Lying Cable Triceps Extension — end position
End

Arms / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Lying Cable Triceps Extension

A lying triceps extension with a rope from a low pulley behind the head, keeping tension on the triceps.

At a glance

Primary
Triceps
Equipment
Cable station
Movement pattern
Elbow extension
Level
Beginner
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint)

Loads the elbow. Use a load you can control and skip it if it causes pain.

How to do it

  1. Attach a rope to a low pulley and lie on your back with your head toward the machine.
  2. Hold the rope with palms facing each other, upper arms vertical and elbows bent so the hands are behind your head.
  3. Extend your elbows to press the rope up over your chest.
  4. Lower slowly back to the bent-elbow position.

Tips

  • Keep the upper arms still.
  • Keep the elbows pointed up.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps — primary (Back)Forearms & grip (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Triceps

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.