Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension
In SetGrip: Cable Triceps Extension (Incline Bench)
- Secondary muscles
- Delts
- Body part
- Upper Arms
- Position
- Standing
- Laterality
- Bilateral (both sides together)
- Category
- Strength
Track this exercise in SetGrip — no account needed
Bracing on an incline bench while a cable feeds resistance from behind combines the fixed shoulder angle of bench work with the constant tension only a pulley provides. Free-weight incline extensions lose tension as your forearms pass vertical; here the cable keeps pulling through lockout, and the bench stops you from cheating with body lean.
How to do the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension
- Adjust the cable machine to a low pulley position.
- Attach a straight bar to the cable.
- Stand facing away from the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Grasp the bar with an overhand grip and extend your arms straight overhead.
- Lean forward slightly, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
- Bend your elbows and lower the bar behind your head, keeping your upper arms close to your ears.
- Pause for a moment, then extend your arms back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Tip: Keep a slight bend at the top on lying extensions to protect the elbow, but lock out fully on cable pushdowns.
Muscles worked
Primary
Triceps · Arms
The triceps straighten the elbow, and overhead variations stretch the long head at the bottom, so you should feel the whole back of the upper arm working with a hard squeeze at lockout.
Secondary
- Delts — The front delt holds the upper arm in position on overhead extensions and should feel tension but not be lifting.
Common mistakes
- Elbows flaring out — on overhead and lying extensions the elbows should stay pointed forward or up, not out to the sides, since flaring turns it into a press.
- Upper arm moving — the upper arm should be pinned in place and only the forearm should move; if the elbow drifts, drop the weight.
- Not finishing the rep — take every rep to a full triceps squeeze; on pushdowns that means a complete lockout for a count.
- Cutting the stretch — on overhead extensions let the weight travel down behind the head until you feel the long head stretch before pressing up.
Sets, reps and where it fits
| Goal | Sets × reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle growth | 3–4 × 10–15 | 60–90 s |
| Endurance / finisher | 2–3 × 15–20 | 45 s |
| Strength | Not ideal — pick a compound lift for the same muscle | — |
Triceps extensions go after the presses in a push session or at the end of an arm day. Superset them with biceps curls on the same cable stack or with the same dumbbells.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
Without cable
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension work?
The Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension primarily works the triceps. It also involves the delts, which assist the movement and stabilise the joints.
Is the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension good for beginners?
It is rated intermediate, so it suits people who already train regularly. Beginners can still do the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension with light load and a spotter or coach watching the first few sessions; if it feels awkward, pick an easier variation from the alternatives below first.
What can I do instead of the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension?
If you cannot do the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension, try the Kneeling Bodyweight Triceps Extension, the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher or the Incline EZ-Bar Skull Crusher. Each of them trains the triceps through a similar movement, so you can swap them in without changing the rest of the workout.
How many sets and reps should I do?
It depends on your goal. For the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension, a sensible starting point is muscle growth: 3–4 × 10–15 with 60–90 s rest; endurance / finisher: 2–3 × 15–20 with 45 s rest. Do it after your compound lifts. It is a finishing movement, not the main event.
Track the Incline Bench Cable Triceps Extension in SetGrip
All 1,100+ exercises with animations are in the app. No account, no sign-up — your data stays on your iPhone. Works with Apple Watch.
More exercises
- All arms exercises
- All triceps exercises
- All cable exercises
- Cable triceps exercises
- Banded Single Arm Side Triceps Extension
- Behind Head Close Grip Barbell Lying Triceps Extension
- Barbell Overhead Triceps Extension
- Seated Barbell Overhead Triceps Extension
- Seated Close Grip Barbell Overhead Triceps Extension
- Behind Head Barbell Skull Crusher
Exercise data and animations are licensed ExerciseDB content used in SetGrip. This page is for general information and is not medical or coaching advice.