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No matter what time of year it is, strong arms are always in season. All-around upper-body strength looks awesome and comes with oh so many perks. To get there, you need to spend a little time working all the arm muscles (not just the biceps).
It's all too easy to neglect the triceps, which are a minor muscle group on the back of the arms. These small but mighty muscles are key to overall fitness. "The triceps are a super, super important muscle group," says Jacqueline Kasen, CPT. "It stabilizes your your arms and your shoulders. It also helps increase range of motion. So if you're strong there, triceps also help support chest, back, and shoulders."
Meet the experts:
Holly Roser, CPT, is based in New York City and San Francisco, where she teaches her signature H Method.
Jacqueline Kasen, CPT, is a Miami-based coach and master trainer and senior director of group fitness at Anatomy.
Tatiana Firpo, CPT, is a self-defense coach and training director at Fit Hit in New York City.
What are the triceps muscles?
Your triceps, which run along the backs of your upper arms, actually consist of three muscles—the long head, medial head, and lateral head—hence "tri." Together, these muscles help you extend your elbows and straighten your arms—and assist in chest-dominant exercises, like those infamous yogi pushups. There are different exercises that emphasize different parts of your triceps, so it's important to incorporate a variety of triceps exercises into your workout routine in order to build well-rounded strength.
Triceps Workout Tips
If you want to sculpt all 360 degrees of your upper arms (or finally nail that chaturanga in your next yoga class), it's time to add a tricep workout into your routine and give this muscle group some much-deserved attention. It's about shoring up strength and stamina in your arms and sculpt. And you can add visible definition in the process, too. Here's how:
- Work the triceps three days a week. It is possible to grow the size of your triceps (which can help create toned arms) with regular targeted tricep workouts, Holly Roser, CPT, says. “Focus on full-body strength training and adding these triceps moves into your plan three days per week,” she recommends.
- Aim for three sets of 8 to 15 reps. Use the right weights to optimize your sesh. “You know you’re using the correct resistance when the last two reps seem almost impossible to finish,” says Roser.
- Focus on form and posture. You can effectively train the triceps in as little as two upper body-focused strength sessions a week, according to Kasen. One of the most common mistakes Kasen sees with triceps exercises is a rounded posture. To fix it, pull your shoulders back and down and check that they stay there through all the reps. That ensures you're targeting the triceps from start to finish.
- Focus on the most effective triceps exercises. Not all triceps moves are created equal. The best bang for your buck are triangle pushups, triceps dips, and triceps kickbacks, according to an ACE study with all female participants. These elicited the most muscle activity and take momentum out of the equation. That means you're doing the work for every rep and getting the strength and definition as a reward.
16 Best Triceps Exercises
Ready to feel the backs of those arms burn? The moves listed here make for a fast and effective tricep workout.
Time: 15 minutes | Equipment: mat, dumbbells | Good for: triceps
Instructions: Choose one triceps exercise from each group below:
- A: Dumbbell floor press, single-arm dumbbell floor press, alternating dumbbell floor press
- B: Pushup, triceps pushup, hand-release pushup, sphinx press, 1/2 Turkish getup, dolphin pushup
- C: Lying overhead triceps extension, triceps kickback, triceps dip, alternating triceps kickbacks, overhead triceps extension, triceps circle, plank triceps kickback
Complete three sets of the indicated number of reps for each move. Once you've completed all sets of one move, continue to the next, in ABC order, resting as needed. Alternatively, incorporate these triceps exercises into an upper-body workout routine.
1
Dumbbell Floor Press
Why it rocks: Earnest likes that this move works the front of your body and helps with balance and stability when you’re working other parts of the upper body.
What it works: The main focus is the chest (specifically your pectoral muscles), but your triceps and supporting muscles in your shoulders (primarily the front deltoids) will be put to work a bit as well, Earnest says.
How to:
- Lie face up on the floor with your knees bent and feet planted, holding two dumbbells in a goal post position (drop your elbows to the ground and create 90-degree angles with your arms).
- Tuck your hips under and actively press your spine down to the mat to engage your core and align your spine down. (Think: you shouldn’t have an arch under your back.)
- Exhale and press dumbbells up until your arms are fully extended above your chest.
- Inhale and slowly lower back to the starting position. That's one rep.
2
Single-Arm Dumbbell Floor Press
Why it rocks: In addition to isolating each arm at a time (a must for avoiding strength or muscle imbalances!), this single-arm floor press variation also challenges your core to keep you stable.
How to:
- Start lying on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Hold a dumbbell in right hand with right elbow out about 45 degrees from side. Rest left arm flat on floor.
- Keep lower back pressed into floor, press weight straight up over chest, and extend right arm.Pause at the top.
- Slowly bend elbow to lower weight back down until back of upper right arm returns to floor. That's 1 rep. Complete 8 to 10 reps on right side, then repeat on left for a full set.
3
Alternating Dumbbell Floor Press
Why it rocks: Working one side at a time helps you avoid strength imbalances. This one also challenges your upper back, too. Score!
How to:
- Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, about a foot from seat.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with upper arms resting on the floor and elbows bent at 90 degrees.
- Press left arm straight up until arm is extended.
- Slowly bend left elbow and lower weight until left tricep touches floor.
- Repeat with right arm. That's 1 rep.
Pro tip: Elbows should form 45-degree angles with sides throughout movement.
4
Block 1: Pushup
Why it rocks: Pushups may seem like a basic exercise, but they work. Pushups effectively tone your upper arms, shoulders, chest, core, hips, and legs, according to research out of Harvard Health. As a beginner, Beck suggests starting on your knees and focusing on form first before leveling up to a high plank position.
How to:
- Begin on hands and knees with hands wider than shoulder-width distance, chest broad, core engaged, and toes tucked. Your body should form a straight line from shoulders to knees.
- Bend elbows and lower down until your chest almost touches the floor. Keep your upper arms at a 45-degree angle to your torso.
- Pause, then push back through hands to extend arms back up to starting position. That's 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.
Pro tip: “If your arms were to disappear mid push-up, you’d want to land on your chest and not your face, so always lead with your chest,” says Beck.
5
Eccentric Triceps Pushup
Why it rocks: Compared to the standard pushup, the close-grip pushup places greater emphasis on your triceps, hitting all three heads hard.
How to:
- Start in a high plank position, but with hands directly beneath chest instead of shoulders and holding dumbbells. (Option to rest knees on mat as a modification.)
- Bend elbows straight back towards feet to lower body until almost touching the floor, keeping upper arms close to sides.
- Shift hips back and reset in plank position. That's 1 rep. Complete 8 to 10 reps.
6
Hand Release Pushup
Why it rocks: Hand-release pushups work all of your major muscles (triceps included, of course) and can help you boost your pushup range of motion, since they force you to practice powering up off the floor.
How to:
- Start in a high plank position with shoulders over wrists. (Option to start in a modified position on knees.)
- Keep core tight, bend elbows, and lower body all the way down on to the floor.
- At the bottom, lift hands a few inches into the air.
- Replace hands, then press back up to start. That's 1 rep.
Pro tip: Your elbows should point 45 degrees away from sides.
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7
Sphinx Pushup
Why it rocks: No equipment required for this advanced pushup variation. It gives your triceps a hard-burning, laser-like focus and simultaneously works the core.
How to:
- Start in a forearm plank position on toes with head to heels aligned. (Option to modify and start on knees.)
- Keeping hips level, lift forearms off the mat and extend arms, balancing weight on hands and toes.
- Slowly and with control, lower forearms to tap the mat.
- Then, push back up to starting position. That's 1 rep. Complete 8 to 10 reps.
8
Half Turkish Get-Up
How to:
- Start lying face up with right leg straight on mat, left leg bent, foot flat on floor, right arm out at side on floor at 45-degree angle, and left arm holding kettlebell above shoulder with tricep on floor and elbow at a 45-degree angle from body.
- Raise the weight up above chest, keeping gaze on it, until arm is straight but not locked at the elbow.
- Push into right forearm to begin lifting torso up from mat.
- Rise onto right palm to sit up tall.
- Reverse entire movement to return to start. That's 1 rep.
- Complete all reps, then switch sides and repeat.
9
Dolphin Pushup
Why it rocks: Love ‘em or hate ‘em, there’s no denying the muscle-activating power behind pushups. Switch things up with this slightly inverted variation.
How to:
- Start in an upside down "V" shape, palms pushing into mat and heels high.
- Bend at elbows and lower forearms down to floor at same time.
- Reverse motion and extend arms to return to start. That's 1 rep. Complete 10 reps.
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10
Skull Crusher
Why it rocks: This move needs more stabilization to execute than a tricep dip or kick back because it requires you to lay down holding the weights overhead, giving your core some work, too, according to Fernandez.
How to:
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet planted on floor.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand and press arms straight up toward the ceiling.
- Slowly bend elbows to lower weights to near temples.
- Pause, then slowly press weights back to starting position. That's 1 rep.
11
Dumbbell Triceps Kickback
Why it rocks: Bilateral (a.k.a. both-sided) kickbacks are challenging and activate your core while targeting the medial and laterals heads of your triceps.
How to:
- Start standing with slightly knees bent and body hinged forward at 45 degrees holding and a dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent and close to body.
- Keep upper arms still, then press dumbbells back to straighten arms, squeezing triceps.
- Return to start with control. That's 1 rep. Complete 8 to 10 reps.
12
Triceps Dip
How to:
- Sit in a chair (or on a box/step) and grip the front edges with hands.
- Scoot butt forward until it's hovering just off the seat and legs form a 90-degree angle and straighten arms.
- Lower body down until biceps are parallel to floor.
- Engage triceps to press back to start. That's 1 rep.
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13
Alternating Triceps Kickback
Why it rocks: This kickback variation gives your triceps more rest between reps, making it more beginner-friendly or a good way to work with heavier weight.
How to:
- Start standing with knees slightly bent and body hinged forward at 45 degrees holding and a dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent, close to rib cage, and back behind body.
- Keep right arm still, while extending left elbow, pressing weight behind body and squeezing triceps.
- Lower left arm to start with control.
- Repeat on the other side. That's 1 rep. Complete 8 to 10 reps.
14
Overhead Triceps Extension
Why it rocks: This variation hits the long head of your triceps hard while simultaneously working your core as long as you keep your spine straight and ribs from flaring forward.
How to:
- Start standing with dumbbells in hands, pressed together overhead with straight arms.
- Keep biceps by ears and weights together, then bend elbows to lower dumbbells slowly behind head.
- Pause, then press weights back up to straighten arms, returning to start. That's 1 rep.
15
Plank With Triceps Kickback
How to:
- Get into a high-plank position with your feet slightly wider than shoulders.
- Hold a dumbbell in your right hand.
- Bend your elbow until your tricep is in line with your torso.
- Extend your arm back, until it’s completely straight.
- Return to start. That’s 1 rep.
- Complete all reps, then switch sides and repeat.
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16
Triceps Circle
Why it rocks: Just when you thought you've seen them all, enter triceps circles. This mobility and strength challenge will torch triceps and stretch shoulders through a full range of motion.
How to:
- Start on all fours with knees under hips, hands under shoulders, and spine neutral. (Level up by starting in a high plank position.)
- Bend elbows to lower forearms and chest to almost touch the mat.
- Skim the mat with torso to bring nose past hands.Push into the mat with hands to extend arms to return to start. That's 1 rep.
Julia Sullivan, CPT
Julia Sullivan, CPT, is a New York City-based writer, indoor rowing instructor, outdoor enthusiast, newbie powerlifter, and devoted cat mother. Her work has been published in Women’s Health, SELF, Health, Huffington Post, and more. She holds a B.A. in journalism and gender studies from Arizona State University and a personal training certificate from the American Council on Exercise. When she’s not covering the latest health and wellness trends, you can find her hitting the hiking trails, working toward her deadlift goal of 400 pounds, and forcefully hugging her cat, Jeeves, against his will.
Jennifer Nied
Jennifer Nied is the fitness editor at Women’s Health and has more than 10 years of experience in health and wellness journalism. She’s always out exploring—sweat-testing workouts and gear, hiking, snowboarding, running, and more—with her husband, daughter, and dog.
