Are you ready to take your arm workouts to the next level? If you’re looking for a way to add serious definition and strength to your upper body, targeting the long head of the tricep is your secret weapon. This often overlooked muscle not only helps create that coveted horseshoe shape but also adds depth and power to your arms. In this guide, we’re revealing 11 long head tricep exercises that will transform your routine, helping you sculpt strong, eye-catching arms. Get ready to unlock your true potential and sculpt your arms today!
Tricep Kickbacks
Due to their ability to effectively target the triceps muscle, tricep kickbacks are essential to any tricep workout.
Hold a dumbbell in each hand while standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Keep your back straight and your hands facing your body as you flex forward at the waist.
Keep your upper arms still while you extend your arms back.
At the peak, tighten your triceps, then return to where you were before.
This is one of the best exercises for targeting the long-head triceps because it isolates the muscle. The isolation that tricep kickbacks provide allows more muscular activation and growth, allowing you to concentrate solely on the triceps muscle, especially the long head. It’s crucial to keep the action regulated and refrain from using momentum to lift the weights during this exercise, as doing so can lessen its effectiveness and raise the danger of injury.
A well-rounded triceps workout is crucial for building upper arm strength and size, Lets explore the triceps workout here
Close Grip Bench Press
The close-grip bench press is a complex exercise that works the triceps, chest, and shoulders.
Beginning position: Lie on a bench and grasp a barbell with a grip smaller than your shoulder width.
Keep your elbows tight to your torso, and lower the bar to your chest.
Lift the bar back to the beginning and extend your arms to their maximum length.
This exercise is great for increasing the mass and strength of your triceps overall, especially in the long head. This is a great workout for building long head triceps because it changes the focus from the chest to the triceps when you use a close grip. The close grip bench press also strengthens your pressing muscles, which benefits other upper body exercises.
Lying Tricep Extensions (Skull Crushers)
Skull crushers, also called lying tricep extensions, are a great way to isolate the triceps.
Laying on a bench with a barbell or an EZ curl bar is the starting position.
With your arms outstretched and your hands shoulder-width apart, grasp the bar.
Bending your elbows, lower the bar toward your forehead.
Return your arms to their initial position.
This is a high-intensity workout that highlights the long head tricep exercises. Skull crushers are especially advantageous because they can maintain tension on the triceps throughout the exercise and promote better muscular hypertrophy. To get the most out of this workout, make sure to keep your motion calm and controlled, concentrating on contracting your triceps muscle.
Extension of the Overhead Dumbbell
The overhead dumbbell extension stretches the long head significantly, which stimulates the triceps.
Sit or stand with both hands gripping a dumbbell and your arms fully stretched above your head.
Bend your elbows to bring the dumbbell down behind your head.
With your arms extended fully, raise the dumbbell back to the starting position.
This exercise is excellent for increasing flexibility and isolating the triceps long head. The stretch of the above posture gives the long head and encourages better muscular growth and engagement. Keep your elbows close to your head when completing the overhead dumbbell extension to maintain perfect form and avoid putting undue strain on your shoulders.
Tricep Pushdown
The tricep pushdown is a traditional cable exercise that effectively isolates the triceps.
Face a cable machine with a V-bar or straight attachment.
Hold the bar with your elbows close to your sides using an overhand grip.
Lower your arms to the sides while tensing your triceps completely.
Return to the starting position slowly.
Varying the grip can highlight different tricep heads; a straight bar will highlight the long head more than the other. Because of its great versatility, the tricep pushdown can be used to target different regions of the triceps muscle using variations like the rope pushdown or reverse grip pushdown. To maximize the benefits of this exercise, make sure your posture is steady and refrain from pushing the weight with your shoulders.
Extension of Single-Arm Overhead Cable
With this exercise, you may isolate each tricep separately and get a wider range of motion.
Place yourself sideways next to a cable machine and pull its handle to the lowest position.
Lift your arm above your head while holding the handle with one hand.
Bending your elbow, lower the handle behind your head and raise it back up.
The above aspect of this action makes it very useful for targeting the long head tricep. The further benefit of isolating each arm with the single-arm overhead cable extension is better muscle symmetry and balance. To get the most out of this workout, lift the weight in a controlled manner and refrain from using momentum.
Tricep Dips
One bodyweight exercise that may be altered to target the triceps more than the chest is the tricep dip.
Place your hands next to your hips while sitting on the edge of a bench or dip bar.
Bending your elbows will help you lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
Extend your arms and push yourself back up to the starting position.
Erect posture and elbows close to the sides guarantee that the triceps, particularly the long head, worked efficiently. In addition to strengthening the triceps, tricep dips are a great way to increase the stability and strength of your upper body. To maximize the efficiency of your tricep dip workout, maintain a controlled motion and refrain from utilizing your legs to help with the activity.
Cable Kickbacks
Cable kickbacks are a variation of the dumbbell kickback that provides constant tension on the triceps.
Fasten a handle to a cable machine’s low pulley.
With one hand held to the handle and the palms facing your body, bend forward at the waist.
Retrace your arm while maintaining a motionless upper arm.
At the peak, tighten your triceps, then go back to where you were before.
Because the cable offers constant tension, this exercise is great for isolating the long head. By keeping your triceps active over the whole range of motion, the cable kickback enhances muscular activation and growth. To get the most out of this workout, lift the weight with control and refrain from using momentum.
Diamond Push-Ups
Diamond push-ups are a strenuous bodyweight workout that specifically targets the triceps.
Starting position: Press your hands together to make a diamond shape with your thumbs and index fingers. This will put you in a push-up position.
Bending your elbows to keep them close to your sides can help you lower your body.
Return to the starting posture by pushing up while extending your arms fully.
This exercise works the chest, core, and long head tricep. Diamond push-ups are an excellent complement to any tricep exercise program as they successfully increase tricep strength and endurance. Keep in mind that allowing your elbows to flare out can lessen the exercise’s effectiveness, so keep your movements controlled to get the most out of it.
Pushdown with Reverse Grip Triceps
The reverse grip is a variant on the standard pushdown that works the triceps differently.
Starting position: Face a cable machine with a straight bar fastened.
Hold the bar with your elbows close to your sides using an underhanded grip.
Lower your arms to the sides while tensing your triceps completely.
Return to the starting position slowly.
The underhand grip is a terrific addition to your program since it places greater emphasis on the long head of the triceps. Because of its unusual grip angle, the reverse grip tricep pushdown is very useful for activating the long head. In order to get the most out of this workout, keep the motion regulated and refrain from pushing the weight with your shoulders.
Extension of the Tricep Overhead Rope
The resistance of a cable is added to the benefits of overhead extensions in this long head tricep exercises.
Starting position: Fasten a rope handle to a cable machine’s high pulley.
Keep your face away from the machine and both hands on the rope.
Bend your elbows to lower the rope behind your head after extending your arms overhead.
Return your arms to their initial position.
The above posture guarantees that the triceps’ long head is efficiently worked throughout the exercise. An additional advantage of the tricep overhead rope extension is that it keeps the triceps under continual strain, which enhances muscular activation and growth. To get the most out of this workout, make sure you lift the weight with a controlled manner and refrain from using momentum.
Incorporating These Exercises into Your Routine – Key Benefits
- Enhanced Arm Strength
Targeting the long head of the triceps increases overall arm strength, aiding in pushing and lifting movements. - Increased Muscle Definition
Long head tricep exercises help sculpt the back of the arms, giving them a fuller, more defined appearance. - Improved Upper Body Symmetry
Building the long head ensures a well-balanced and proportionate upper arm size, enhancing overall symmetry. - Better Compound Lift Performance
Stronger triceps boost performance in compound lifts like the bench press and shoulder press by improving pushing power. - Enhanced Push Movements
Strengthened long head triceps make daily pushing actions and functional movements easier and more efficient. - Joint Support and Stability
Developing the long head triceps provides better elbow stability, reducing the risk of strain or injury during heavy lifting. - Increased Arm Endurance
Strengthening the long head improves endurance, allowing you to perform more reps during upper-body exercises. - Versatile Workout Options
Long head tricep exercises can be done with various equipment, offering flexibility in workout routines. - Improved Athletic Performance
Athletes benefit from stronger triceps, which enhance speed, power, and efficiency in sports movements involving pushing or throwing. - Injury Prevention
Stronger triceps reduce strain on elbows and shoulders, helping prevent overuse injuries. - Versatile Muscle Activation
Exercises for the long head of the triceps often engage other upper-body muscles, providing a more comprehensive workout.
Conclusion
It takes work to develop great triceps, but the lengthy head of the muscle needs the most attention. By including these top long-head tricep exercises in your regimen, you may increase the size and definition of your triceps and the general strength and appearance of your arms. Remember that getting the best outcomes requires consistency and the right form. So begin using these powerful triceps long-head workouts to tone those arms right now!