Lying Cross-Face Dumbbell Triceps Extension — start position
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Lying Cross-Face Dumbbell Triceps Extension — end position
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Arms / Intermediate / Isolation (single joint)

Lying Cross-Face Dumbbell Triceps Extension

A lying dumbbell extension alternating arms, lowering each dumbbell across the face toward the opposite shoulder to isolate the triceps.

At a glance

Primary
Triceps
Equipment
Dumbbells, Bench
Movement pattern
Elbow extension
Level
Intermediate
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint), One side at a time

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

How to do it

  1. Lie on a flat bench holding dumbbells above your shoulders with arms extended.
  2. Keeping the upper arm still, bend one elbow to lower that dumbbell across your face toward the opposite shoulder.
  3. Extend the elbow to return the dumbbell to the top.
  4. Repeat with the other arm and keep alternating.

Tips

  • Use a light weight; the dumbbell passes over your face.
  • Avoid this when your arms are fatigued.

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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.