Lying Single-Dumbbell Triceps Extension — start position
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Lying Single-Dumbbell Triceps Extension — end position
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Arms / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Lying Single-Dumbbell Triceps Extension

A lying two-hand extension lowering a single dumbbell behind the head that builds the triceps.

At a glance

Primary
Triceps
Equipment
Dumbbells, Bench
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. Lie on a flat bench and hold one dumbbell with both hands above your chest, arms straight.
  2. Keeping your upper arms still, bend your elbows to lower the dumbbell in an arc behind your head.
  3. Extend your elbows to raise the dumbbell back above your chest.

Tips

  • Control the bottom position to protect the elbows.

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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.