Best Tricep Extension Exercises  

#1 Barbell Tricep Extension 

For a stronger upper body and bigger arms without injuring your elbow joint during lifting exercises like push-ups and bench presses, you should target your triceps muscle group with tricep extension exercises. Barbell tricep extension is an effective isolation exercise that targets the long head of your triceps by performing it with either an EZ bar or a straight barbell. For best results and hypertrophy of your tris, perform repetitions within a full range of motion and maintain proper form for each repetition starting from a shoulder-width overhand grip with palms facing forward to a position where your elbows flex at a 90-degree angle. 

How to Do Barbell Tricep Extension? 

Achieving strong triceps is essential for upper body workouts and bicep development. To perform the Barbell Tricep Extension exercise effectively, you must lie flat on a weight bench with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip and extend it above you at shoulder-width distance. Slowly lower it behind your head towards your shoulders while keeping your elbows in line with your torso and forearms perpendicular to the floor. Pause briefly before lifting it back up to its starting position for best results. Incorporating this exercise into a proper triceps workout can lead to bigger arms and stronger upper body muscles. 

#2 Dumbbell Tricep Extension 

This effective isolation exercise targets the triceps muscle group and is called the dumbbell tricep extension. Start by lying flat on a weight bench with your feet firmly planted on the ground while holding a dumbbell in each hand with palms facing inward. Raise both dumbbells above your head and slowly lower one behind your head while maintaining a full range of motion and proper form. Alternate arms for repetitions to get bigger arms! 

How to Perform Dumbbell Tricep Extension? 

For a strong upper body workout that targets your triceps muscle group, try incorporating dumbbell tricep extensions into your routine. Begin by holding the weight in both hands with your palms facing up and lifting it above your head until your arms are fully extended. Then lower the dumbbell behind your head while keeping your upper arms stationary and focusing on extending only at the elbow joint. By gradually increasing weights and reps over time you can achieve hypertrophy in this muscle group for bigger arms and best results. 

#3 Close-Grip Bench Press for Triceps 

For a bigger arm and stronger triceps muscle group, close-grip bench press is an excellent choice of exercise. Unlike regular bench press, it uses a narrower grip which engages the triceps more effectively. It can be done with dumbbells or a barbell. Focus on maintaining proper form throughout each rep for best results. Lying on a weight bench with your feet flat on the floor and grasping a barbell with an overhand grip at shoulder-width apart or less will work wonders for your triceps muscles. 

How to Execute Close-Grip Bench Press? 

For effective tricep extension exercises and bigger arms, try out the close-grip bench press for targeting your upper arm muscles. Position yourself on a weight bench with an overhand grip on the barbell. Lower it down to touch your chest and push it back up from the starting position while keeping elbows close to your sides and contracting triceps at the top of each rep. Avoid flaring out elbows or arching your back during this exercise for best results in strengthening not only triceps but also upper body muscles like pecs and abs. 

#4 Tricep Kickbacks with Resistance Bands 

Resistance bands are an effective way to incorporate tricep kickbacks into your upper body workout routine. This isolation exercise effectively targets the tricep muscle group, located at the back of the upper arm, without engaging other muscles, such as the biceps or shoulders. To perform tricep kickbacks with resistance bands, stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hinge forward from the hips. Keeping a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, extend your forearm backwards until it forms a straight line with your upper arm. Incorporating this exercise into your strength training routine will result in stronger triceps and bigger arms. 

How to Do Tricep Kickbacks with Resistance Bands? 

To perform tricep kickbacks with resistance bands, attach the band to a sturdy anchor point and hold its handle in one hand. Extend your arm straight behind you, keeping your elbow stationary at a 90-degree angle. Focus on squeezing your triceps as you bring your arm back to the starting position slowly. Gradually increase resistance level for best results. This isolation exercise is great for targeting and strengthening not just your triceps but also core muscles and forearms. Personal trainers recommend adding it to upper body workouts regularly. 

#5 Kettlebell Tricep Extensions 

Targeting your triceps is essential for complete upper body workouts. Kettlebell tricep extensions are one of the best exercises for building tricep muscle mass and strength. This isolation exercise works by extending your elbow joint against resistance from a kettlebell held in both hands behind you. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hinge forward at the hips until nearly parallel to the floor, then lift toward your shoulders while keeping your elbows tucked in close to your sides. Slowly lower it down again with control for maximum hypertrophy of all three heads along with proper form.