How to Do Cable One Arm Tricep Extension
Start and end of one clean rep of Cable One Arm Tricep Extension.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Triceps |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Cable |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Cable One Arm Tricep Extension
- With your right hand, grasp a single handle attached to the high-cable pulley using a supinated (underhand; palms facing up) grip. You should be standing directly in front of the weight stack.
- Now pull the handle down so that your upper arm and elbow are locked in to the side of your body. Your upper arm and forearm should form an acute angle (less than 90-degrees). You can keep the other arm by the waist and you can have one leg in front of you and the other one back for better balance. This will be your starting position.
- As you contract the triceps, move the single handle attachment down to your side until your arm is straight. Breathe out as you perform this movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move. Your upper arms should remain stationary at all times.
- Squeeze the triceps and hold for a second in this contracted position.
- Slowly return the handle to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then perform the same movement with the other arm.
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 One Arm Tricep Extension work?
Cable One Arm Tricep Extension is a focused movement that primarily works the triceps.
What equipment do I need for Cable One Arm Tricep Extension?
Cable One Arm Tricep Extension needs a cable station with the right handle attachment.
How many sets and reps should I do for Cable One Arm Tricep 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.
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