Lying Barbell Triceps Extension Behind the Head — start position
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Lying Barbell Triceps Extension Behind the Head — end position
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Arms / Intermediate / Isolation (single joint)

Lying Barbell Triceps Extension Behind the Head

A lying close-grip barbell extension with the upper arms angled back, lowering the bar behind the head to emphasize the long head of the triceps.

At a glance

Primary
Triceps
Secondary
Lats
Equipment
Barbell, Bench
Movement pattern
Elbow extension
Level
Intermediate
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint)

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

How to do it

  1. Lie on a flat bench and grip a barbell or EZ bar with a close grip, about 20 cm apart.
  2. Hold the bar above your head with arms extended and angled slightly back.
  3. Keeping the upper arms fixed, bend your elbows to lower the bar behind your head.
  4. Extend your elbows to return to the start.

Tips

  • Keep the bar parallel to the floor.
  • Do not let the elbows flare.

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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 — secondary (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
  • Secondary: Lats

Best for

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