Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension: How To Exercise Guide

If you’re struggling to get those toned and defined triceps, you’re not alone. Many people have difficulty isolating and targeting this muscle group, which can be frustrating and discouraging. The barbell standing overhead triceps extension is a popular exercise that can help address this problem. But many people struggle with proper form and technique, which can limit the effectiveness of the exercise. Sympathetically, it can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to selecting the right weight and positioning the arms correctly. Fortunately, this post will provide you with a step-by-step guide to help you master the barbell standing overhead triceps extension and achieve the toned and defined triceps you’ve been striving for.

Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension Summary

  • Primary Muscles: Triceps Brachii
  • Secondary Muscles: None
  • Equipment: Barbell
  • Mechanics Type: Isolation
  • Force: Push
  • Utility: Auxiliary
Graphic image of a fit man performing alternate cable triceps extensions.

Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension Instructions

  • Stand with the barbell in your hands using an overhand grip.
  • Plant your feet firmly on the ground and raise the barbell over your head arms straight up.
  • Next, bend your elbows lower the barbell behind your head, and keeping the lower part of your arm straight up.
  • Then push the barbell back up over your head again using your triceps.
  • Repeat for 8-12 reps.

Video Tutorial

How To: Standing Overhead Tricep Extension with E-Z Curl Bar

Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension Muscles

Target (Agonist)

Synergists

  • None

Dynamic Stabilizers

  • None

Stabilizers

Antagonist Stabilizers

  • None
Image of the skeletal muscular system with the muscles used in the barbell standing overhead triceps extension exercise highlighted in red and the rest in blue.

Benefits of Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension

The Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension is a great exercise to strengthen the triceps brachii muscle. This exercise targets the triceps brachii specifically, which is an important muscle for pushing movements. Strengthening this muscle can help improve your pushing power and performance in various sports and exercises. Additionally, strengthening the triceps brachii can help improve your posture and reduce the risk of injury by increasing the stability of the shoulder joint. Furthermore, this exercise can also help improve your grip strength, which can be beneficial for activities such as rock climbing and weightlifting.

Tips for Performing Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension

If you want to improve your triceps strength, the barbell standing overhead triceps extension is an effective exercise. This exercise is an isolation movement, meaning that it targets only one muscle group – the triceps. With proper form and technique, you can get the most out of this exercise and maximize your results. Below are some tips to help you get the most out of this exercise.

  • Deciding On A Recovery Time That Should Be Brief, But You Will Be Able To Still Finish The Full Set. Every time your recovery period is too small you would possibly be unable to complete the entire set, in the event it is too extended you will be merely wasting your time.
  • Have A Plan When You Get To The Gym. You should arrange your exercise routine in advance if you have a target. If your objective is just simply to maintain muscle mass, you should certainly still have a plan when you begin your session.

Benefits and Tips Video

Barbell Overhead Triceps Extension Tips

Frequent Mistakes To Avoid

When doing the barbell standing overhead triceps extension, it is important to avoid common mistakes that can lead to injury. Even if you have been doing this exercise for some time, it is still important to stay mindful and ensure that you are using correct form. Below are a few key mistakes to be aware of.

  • You’ll Do Better To Not Neglect Rest Times. Over-training can in fact help make you weakened in lieu bigger.
  • You Don’t Want To Cut A Warm-Up. getting the blood flowing to your Muscle tissue is the Quickest way to prevent injury.
  • Avoid The Urge To Conduct The Exact Same Exercises Every Single Occasion. When anyone execute exactly the same lift every work out ones muscular tissues are going to be conditioned to complete that single physical exercise well, but you will plateau faster.

Find More Barbell Exercises Here

Variations and Complementary Exercises

If you’re looking for ways to vary your tricep training routine, try some of the following exercises. These variations, complements, and alternatives will help you to build strength and endurance in your triceps while working the same muscles as the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension.

Cable Concentration Extensions

Graphic image of Cable Concentration Extensions.

Cable concentration extensions are a great complementary or alternative exercise to the barbell standing overhead triceps extension. This exercise is performed using a cable machine with a single-arm handle attachment. The exerciser stands with one arm extended and elbow bent, and the other arm supporting the bent arm. The exerciser then extends the elbow of the bent arm and returns to the starting position. Cable concentration extensions can help target the triceps muscles more efficiently than the barbell standing overhead triceps extension because they allow for greater range of motion and more control over the resistance. They also allow for varied angles and hand positions, which can help to isolate different parts of the triceps muscle group.

Cable Overhead Triceps Extension

Graphic image of Cable Overhead Triceps Extension.

Cable Overhead Triceps Extension is an excellent alternative or complementary exercise to the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension. This exercise works the triceps muscles in a slightly different way than the barbell exercise, as it keeps constant tension on the muscle throughout the entire range of motion. This can help to increase muscular strength and endurance. Additionally, the cable version of this exercise can be done standing, seated, or with one arm at a time for even more variation.

Dumbbell One Arm Extension

Graphic image of Dumbbell One Arm Extension.

The Dumbbell One Arm Extension is an excellent exercise for targeting the triceps muscles and is a great complementary or alternative exercise to the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension. With the Dumbbell One Arm Extension, you can target each tricep muscle individually, allowing for a more focused workout. The exercise also allows for more range of motion, making it easier to target all angles of the triceps muscle. Additionally, because it is a unilateral exercise, it can help to prevent and correct any strength imbalances between your arms.

Check Out These Top Barbell Exercises

Dumbbell Triceps Extension

Graphic image of Dumbbell Triceps Extension.

The Dumbbell Triceps Extension is a great complementary or alternative exercise to the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension. This exercise targets the same muscles as the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension but in a slightly different way. The Dumbbell Triceps Extension requires you to hold one dumbbell in each hand while you extend your arms, which challenges your balance and stability and works the muscles in a slightly different way than the barbell exercise. This exercise can be done either standing or seated, depending on your preference and fitness level. With this exercise, you can also adjust the weight of the dumbbells to suit your needs.

EZ Bar Decline Triceps Extension

Graphic image of EZ Bar Decline Triceps Extension.

The EZ Bar Decline Triceps Extension is a great complementary or alternative exercise to the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension. This exercise targets the triceps muscle group by having the user lie back on a decline bench and hold an EZ bar over their head. Keeping their elbows close together, they then slowly lower the weight behind their head until their arms are completely extended, and then return to the starting position. This exercise is ideal for those looking to increase their triceps strength and size, as well as those who may have difficulty performing the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension due to mobility or other issues.

EZ Bar Lying Close Grip Triceps Extension Behind Head

Graphic image of EZ Bar Lying Close Grip Triceps Extension Behind Head.

The EZ Bar Lying Close Grip Triceps Extension Behind Head is a great complementary or alternative exercise to the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension. This exercise targets the triceps, specifically the long head, in a more isolated manner than the standing overhead triceps extension. To perform this exercise, you lie on your back with the EZ bar in your hands and your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. From there, you extend your arms straight up behind your head, focusing on contracting your triceps as you do so. As you extend your arms, you should feel a strong contraction in your triceps. Make sure to keep your elbows close together and your upper arms stationary as you move through the motion. This exercise is great for building strength and size in the triceps muscles.

Find More Arms Exercises Here

Opposing Complementary Exercises

To further complement the exercise Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension, you should also include exercises that target the opposite muscle groups. These exercises will help to ensure your body is balanced and working out all the necessary muscle groups. Below are a few exercises to consider for working the opposing muscles:

Barbell Standing Close Grip Curl

Graphic image of Barbell Standing Close Grip Curl.

Barbell Standing Close Grip Curl is a great way to complement the exercise Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension by targeting the opposing muscle group. This exercise works the biceps, which are the opposite of the triceps that are targeted with the overhead triceps extension. This exercise requires you to hold a barbell in a close grip and curl it up towards your shoulders while keeping your elbows close to your body. By performing this exercise in combination with the triceps extension, you can create a balanced workout that will help build strength and definition in both of these opposing muscle groups.

Barbell Standing Curl

Graphic image of Barbell Standing Curl.

Barbell Standing Curl is a great exercise to pair with Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension, as it works the opposite muscle group. The barbell standing curl focuses on the biceps and is a great way to build strength and size in this area. It involves standing with feet shoulder-width apart, gripping the barbell with an underhand grip and curling the weight up towards the shoulders. This exercise works the opposing muscle group to Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension, which focuses on the triceps. Together, these two exercises provide a comprehensive workout for both arms, allowing for optimal growth and strength development.

Barbell Standing Wide Grip Biceps Curl

Graphic image of Barbell Standing Wide Grip Biceps Curl.

The Barbell Standing Wide Grip Biceps Curl is a great exercise to strengthen the biceps muscles in the upper arms. It involves holding a barbell with a wide grip and curling the weight up towards the shoulders while keeping the elbows close to the body. This exercise is the perfect complement to the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension, which targets the triceps muscles in the back of the upper arms. Together, these two exercises can help to create balanced upper arm strength and size.

Sculpt Your Arms with the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension!

If you’re looking to get toned arms, the Barbell Standing Overhead Triceps Extension is a must-try exercise. This move targets your triceps, the muscles on the back of your arms, helping to sculpt and define them. By using a barbell, you can add weight and increase the intensity of your workout. As with any exercise, it’s important to use proper form to avoid injury and get the most out of your workout. Adding this exercise to your routine can help you achieve your arm-toning goals.

References: Wikipedia | ExRx.net | PubMed.gov | Comprehensive List of Arms Barbell Exercises

Pin image for barbell standing overhead triceps extension post. With an image of a man performing the exercise on Top and a graphic of the exercise on the Bottom.

Checkout These Other Strength Training Posts

51 Pectoralis Major Sternal Exercises for Men: Fitness Simplified

If you're a man looking to build a well-rounded upper body, chances are you've struggled with building your chest muscles. Specifically, the pectoralis major sternal muscles, which are responsible for most of the mass in the chest area, can be stubborn to grow. But take comfort in the fact that...
Graphic image of a muscular man performing Cable Stability Ball Russian Twists.

Cable Stability Ball Russian Twists: Your Guide To A Real Core Killer

Want to strengthen your core while also improving your balance and stability? Try cable stability ball Russian twists! This exercise is perfect for those looking to target their obliques and improve their overall core strength. Learn how to properly execute this move on my latest blog post. Click now! #fitness...

Join Us On Social Media


Copyright © 2008 - | Privacy | About Us | Contact Us | MuscleMagFitness Powered By | Critical Vitality