Low Cable Triceps Extension

Also called lying cable extension, low pulley skull crusher and cable lying triceps extension.

Works

Triceps

Equipment

Cable

Level

Beginner

Type

Isolation

How to do it

Setup. Select the desired weight and lay down face up on the bench of a seated row machine that has a rope attached to it. Your head should be pointing towards the attachment.

1. Grab the outside of the rope ends with your palms facing each other (neutral grip).
2. Position your elbows so that they are bent at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are perpendicular (90 degree angle) to your torso. Tip: Keep the elbows in and make sure that the upper arms point to the ceiling while your forearms point towards the pulley above your head. This will be your starting position.
3. As you breathe out, extend your lower arms until they are straight and vertical. The upper arms and elbows remain stationary throughout the movement. Only the forearms should move. Contract the triceps hard for a second.
4. As you breathe in slowly return to the starting position.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Cues

• Lie with your head to the pulley.
• Upper arms vertical.
• Extend to lockout.
• Lower slowly behind the head.

Common mistakes

• Upper arms drifting.
• Elbows flaring.

Where to start

A starting point, not a law. Pick a weight you could lift two or three more times than the top of the range. Tempo is seconds down, pause, up. When every set hits the top of the range, add a little weight.

Go easy, or pick an alternative, if you have a sore elbow. Pain that's sharp or gets worse set to set means stop.

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