How to Do Cable Incline Triceps Extension
Start and end of one clean rep of Cable Incline Triceps Extension.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Triceps |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Cable |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Cable Incline Triceps Extension
- Lie on incline an bench facing away from a high pulley machine that has a straight bar attachment on it.
- Grasp the straight bar attachment overhead with a pronated (overhand; palms down) narrow grip (less than shoulder width) and keep your elbows tucked in to your sides. Your upper arms should create around a 25 degree angle when measured from the floor.
- Keeping the upper arms stationary, extend the arms as you flex the triceps. Breathe out during this portion of the movement and hold the contraction for a second.
- Slowly go back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Triceps (primary): straightens the elbow to lock out every press and pushdown.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Fix the elbows in place and let only the forearms move, keeping the load on the triceps.
- Keep tension on the cable through the whole range — pause before the stack touches down instead of letting it crash.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Warm up the pattern with a couple of lighter, submaximal sets before your working sets.
Common mistakes
- Letting the elbows flare and drift forward so the shoulders quietly take over.
- Letting the stack yank the working muscle back at the end of each rep.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Cable Incline Triceps Extension work?
Cable Incline Triceps Extension is a focused movement that primarily works the triceps.
What equipment do I need for Cable Incline Triceps Extension?
Cable Incline Triceps Extension needs a cable station with the right handle attachment.
How many sets and reps should I do for Cable Incline Triceps Extension?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Train Cable Incline Triceps Extension with a coach in your pocket
Gimmy is your AI gym buddy — it programs Cable Incline Triceps Extension into recovery-aware workouts, tracks your sets, and shows one score that tells you if it's working.
Get early access