Standing One-Arm Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension — start position
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Standing One-Arm Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension — end position
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Arms / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Standing One-Arm Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension

A single-arm overhead dumbbell extension that emphasizes the long head of the triceps.

At a glance

Primary
Triceps
Secondary
Abs
Equipment
Dumbbells
Movement pattern
Elbow extension
Level
Beginner
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. Stand tall holding a dumbbell in one hand and press it straight overhead.
  2. Keeping the upper arm vertical and close to your head, bend the elbow to lower the dumbbell behind your head.
  3. Extend the elbow to raise the dumbbell back overhead.
  4. Complete the set and switch arms.

Tips

  • Keep the elbow pointing up, not flaring out.
  • Brace your core to avoid arching your lower back.

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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 — secondary (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
  • Secondary: Abs

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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