Cable One Arm Pushdown

A one-arm cable triceps pushdown is a resistance exercise, which involves the primary elbow extensor, the triceps brachii. This exercise is performed at a cable crossover station with a D-handle attachment, completing sets of repetitions one arm at a time. The concentric portion of the lift is elbow extension, which involves the lifting of the weight. The eccentric portion is elbow flexion, which involves the descent of the weight.

The purpose of the one-arm cable triceps pushdown is to strengthen the triceps while promoting hypertrophy (increases in size) of triceps.

One-arm cable triceps pushdowns provide a variation in exercises that activate the triceps brachii. This exercise allows the lifter to activate the triceps, focusing on one arm at a time. The pushdown motion with an overhand grip (palms facing down) targets the lateral and medial heads of the triceps. Performing this exercise with a supinated grip (palms facing upward) places greater emphasis on the medial head of the triceps.

The lateral head of the triceps makes up the outer portion of the “horseshoe”. Activating the lateral and medial triceps heads improves the overall aesthetics of the triceps muscle.

One-arm cable triceps pushdowns strengthen and increase the size of the triceps brachii. Performing exercises with a cable provides constant resistance throughout the entire range of motion. Cable triceps pushdowns also serve as an auxiliary exercise that can increase strength involved in other multi-joint exercises.

The triceps brachii is located on the back of the upper arm, originating at the shoulder and inserting in the elbow joint. It consists of three heads, the long, medial and lateral head. The medial head lies beneath the long and lateral head. The long head origin is located at the infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula (shoulder blade). The original of the lateral head is located at the posterior shaft of the humerus. The medial head origin is located at the radial groove of the posterior humeral shaft.

The long and lateral heads make up the “horseshoe” portion of the triceps. All three heads merge, sharing insertion into the olecranon process of the ulna, located at the elbow joint.

The triceps brachii extend the elbow joint. The long head assists in arm adduction.

The anconeus is a short, triangular muscle located at the elbow joint. Its origin is located at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, inserting at the lateral aspect of the olecranon process of the ulna.

The positioning of the shoulders in a flexed position requires the deltoids and rotator cuff muscles to ensure stability of the joint capsule throughout the movement.

Pronated grip, supinated grip.

Focus on the concentric portion of the contraction, concentrating on “squeezing” at the end of the flexing portion.

Emphasis on eccentric contractions, prolonging the eccentric portion of the contraction, may also be incorporated in a training program focused on increasing strength. This should be implemented accordingly and with adequate muscle recovery as eccentric contractions cause substantial damage to muscle tissue.

Strategically vary your grip (pronated, supinated), cable attachments (e.g. V-bar, rope) and elbow extension angles (e.g. cable overhead triceps extension, lying overhead triceps extension) when designing your triceps regimen. This will optimize the strength and hypertrophy adaptations made from the exercises over time.

It’s important to note that your repetition and set volume will depend on your goals (e.g. strength, hypertrophy, muscular endurance). It is also important to allow adequate recovery days in between triceps and chest training to allow muscles to repair.

On the upward/eccentric phase, allowing the elbow to bend past 90 degrees takes the tension off of the triceps in between repetitions. Returning to starting position (with elbow bent at 90 degrees) allows the lifter to keep tension on their triceps throughout the entire exercise, optimizing triceps activation.

Returning the weight too quickly to starting position can result in elbow, triceps and/or shoulder injury. Therefore, it is important to control the downward and upward phases of the exercise.

Flaring your elbows out to the side can minimize triceps activation. Keep elbow tucked in to maximize triceps contraction.

If proper technique is not adhered to (e.g. dropping the weight quickly instead of controlling the descent on the eccentric portion of the lift, lifting a load too heavy for the lifter), the likelihood of injury increases.