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Exercise guide

Overhead Triceps

How to do the Overhead Triceps with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

Body OnlyExpertStatic
Primary muscles

Triceps

Secondary

Lats

Equipment

Body Only

Step by step

How to do the Overhead Triceps

  1. 1

    Sit upright on the floor with your partner behind you. Raise one arm straight up, and flex the elbow, attempting to touch your hand to your back. Your parner should hold your elbow and wrist. This will be your starting position.

  2. 2

    Attempt to extend the arm straight into the air as your partner prevents you from doing actually doing so.

  3. 3

    After 10-20 seconds, relax the arm and allow your partner to further stretch the tricep by applying gentle pressure to the wrist. Hold for 10-20 seconds, and then switch sides.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Overhead Triceps set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your triceps volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Overhead Triceps fits

The Overhead Triceps shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More triceps exercises

FAQ

Overhead Triceps: common questions

What muscles does the Overhead Triceps work?

The Overhead Triceps primarily works the Triceps. It also recruits the Lats as supporting muscles.

Is the Overhead Triceps suitable for beginners?

The Overhead Triceps is an expert-level exercise. It demands well-developed strength, mobility and technique, so it suits experienced lifters more than beginners.

What equipment do I need for the Overhead Triceps?

None. The Overhead Triceps is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it without any equipment.

How do I do the Overhead Triceps with correct form?

Sit upright on the floor with your partner behind you. Raise one arm straight up, and flex the elbow, attempting to touch your hand to your back. Your parner should hold your elbow and wrist. This will be your starting position. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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