Cable Triceps Pressdown

The cable triceps pressdown is an arm exercise where you push a cable attachment down and away from your body. It trains elbow extension strength and control using your triceps.

Set up facing a high cable pulley. Grab the attachment with both hands - a straight bar, rope, or handles all work. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees. Tuck your elbows tight against your sides and start with your forearms roughly parallel to the floor.

Brace your core. Press the attachment straight down by straightening your elbows until your arms are fully extended. Keep your elbows still and close to your ribs throughout. Pause briefly at the bottom, then let the attachment rise back up with control until your forearms return to the starting position. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

Breathe out as you press down and breathe in as the attachment returns. Keep your shoulders down and your ribs still. To make it easier, reduce the resistance or shorten the range of motion. To make it harder, slow down the return phase or add resistance while keeping your form intact.

Fault: Elbows flare out to the sides or drift forward during the press. Fix: Pin your elbows against your ribs and treat them like hinges that only move up and down.

Fault: Shrugging the shoulders or leaning your torso forward to finish the rep. Fix: Stand tall, keep your shoulders down and back, and stop each rep when your elbows can no longer stay tucked.

Fault: Using momentum and letting the cable snap back up. Fix: Move the attachment down and up under control; the upward phase should take about as long as the press down.