Long head tricep exercises are a type of exercise that specifically targets the long head of the tricep muscle. The long head of the tricep is located on the back of the upper arm. Exercises that target the long head are typically performed with weight overhead, placing the long head of the tricep in an optimal position for muscle activation. Incorporating long head tricep exercises into your workout routine helps to improve upper body strength, tone the triceps, and increase overall athletic performance. Long head tricep exercises are also modifiable to suit a range of fitness levels, making them accessible to beginners and experienced lifters alike.
Building big triceps is a common goal for bodybuilders. Tricep work adds balance and size, and acts as the foundation for other movements such as the bench press. Focusing on long head tricep workout will help you build mass because the long head makes up the majority of the tricep muscle. The long head also aids in shoulder extension and health. Exercising the long head of the triceps will benefit your overall flexibility and muscle strength in the area.
Some examples of long head tricep exercises include the following.
- Overhead dumbbell extension
- Overhead cable extension
- Lying tricep extension
- Seated dumbbell extension
The article below will explore what you need to know about tricep anatomy as well as seven exercises to work out the long head. We’ll go over each long head tricep workout, how to complete them safely, and other tips to keep in mind.
Contents
Tricep anatomy 101
Tricep anatomy comprises three main muscles, hence the “tri” included in the name. The muscles are the long head, lateral head, and medial head. The long head is located at the back of the arm. The long-head muscle has a lot of potential for growth and enhancement of your physique if targeted during your workouts.
Isolation is a challenge when working on the triceps. Fortunately, controlled extension exercises put the onus on your long head tricep throughout the movement. This can help with targeted strengthening and growth in the long head muscle.
Below, we’ll focus on the top seven long head tricep exercises for building big arms.
1. Incline Dumbbell Tricep Kickbacks
Incline dumbbell kickbacks are an effective type of long-head tricep exercise and, by extension, an ideal addition to tricep workouts in general. Overhead movements are usually the go-to for targeting the long head tricep, but incline kickbacks with dumbells help your stability. When performing this exercise, the incline is a must— gravity plays an essential role in the effectiveness of this exercise. Using a bench takes the focus off your stability to improve the quality of the movement.
Follow the steps below to complete a incline dumbbell kickback.
- Lay chest-first on an incline bench at approximately a 45-degree angle. Engage your core and straighten your spine, to maintain a straight posture while lying down.
- Tuck your elbows into your sides.
- Extend your elbows to straighten your arms until they are parallel with your body. Pause and squeeze the muscles at the top to ensure maximum contraction.
- Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position. Your upper arms should remain still throughout the entire movement.
Proper form is necessary to get the benefits of this movement and ensure maximum contraction in the long head tricep; use lighter weights and more reps to get the best possible results with this exercise.
Looking for an incline bench? Check out Top 12 Weight Benches for Your Home Gym (Reviews)
2. Triangle Push-ups
Triangle push-ups (AKA diamond push-ups) are a popular type of long head tricep exercise. Triangle push-ups’ popularity is owed to their effectiveness. The workout is one the most effective exercises for targeting both the lateral head and long head triceps according to a study by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Unlike a traditional push-up, this exercise requires that the hands are brought together under the chest. Your splayed fingers should make a diamond or triangle shape.
Keep to the steps below to do a triangle push-up.
- Start in a high plank position with your toes tucked, and core braced.
- Move your hands inward until they are centered under your chest, with your fingers forming a triangle or diamond.
- Slowly lower yourself while maintaining proper form: elbows tucked, spine straight, and core braced.
- Pause at the bottom of the movement before lifting yourself back up into the starting position.
Elbow pain indicates an issue with your form in this movement, which is common in tricep exercises. Adjust your setup until you feel the squeeze in your tricep muscles and no pain in your elbows.
3. Tricep Pushdowns with a Rope
Tricep pushdowns (AKA pulldowns) are a type of long head tricep workout that gives you the same type of flexion as kickbacks. Using a rope (like this) instead of a bar can help you target the long head of triceps without shifting the focus to the lateral head.
Proper form is the key to successful isolation exercises. Don’t hesitate to ask a training partner to keep an eye on your triceps to monitor the flexion in the long head.
The steps below outline how to do tricep pushdowns safely.
- Start by standing in front of a cable pulley machine with your feet hip-width apart. You should have a slight bend in the knees.
- Grab the rope apparatus with an overhand grip, one hand per side. Keep your elbows tucked to your sides.
- Pull the rope downwards, bracing your core and keeping your chin tucked. Your upper arms should remain still throughout the movement.
- When the ends of the ropes reach your hips, pause and squeeze the muscles.
- Slowly release and come back to the starting position with a controlled movement, trying not to crash the weight.
Resist the urge to lean into the movement by keeping your torso upright. When using a cable pulley machine, you may also have to adjust the height to maintain proper form.
4. Overhead Rope Extensions
Overhead rope extensions are a long head tricep exercise that utilizes the cable pulley machine. One of the benefits of using overhead rope extensions is that you can use the same setup as tricep pushdowns. Consider incorporating both into your workout to get the most out of your triceps.
Adjust the cable pulley machine so that the ropes are situated so that you can grab them in an overhead reverse grip. This is a great exercise for targeting the long head triceps, thanks to the stretch the overhead position provides.
Follow the steps outlined below for overhead rope extensions.
- Stand facing away from the cable pulley machine. Assume a split stance position, with one foot stepped out in front of the other. This starting position will provide you with stability throughout the movement.
- Reach overhead and grab the rope in a neutral grip with your palms facing each other. Lean forward and adjust your stance as needed for balance.
- With your elbows parallel to the floor and tucked in, extend your arms, flexing the triceps, and pull the rope overhead.
- When your arms are fully extended, pause, and squeeze the muscles before slowly returning to your starting position.
Many bodybuilders prefer the high pulley setup, as outlined above, when building bigger arms. However, you can also do this exercise with a low pulley setup. Try both to find which one works for you.
5. Overhead Dumbbell Extensions
Overhead dumbbell extensions are a highly effective tricep long head exercise that you can do with minimal equipment. All you need is a dumbbell and your strength. This exercise uses the stretch position that helps with long head tricep isolation and is a beginner-friendly bodybuilding exercise.
Need a dumbbell? Check out The 5 Best Rubber Hex Dumbbells to Buy [Reviews]
The steps below walk you through the long head tricep exercise.
- Grab a dumbbell and stand with your feet hip-width apart.
- Stretch your arms overhead, keeping your elbows tucked toward your ears.
- Keeping your upper arms erect, bend your elbows, and carefully lower the dumbbell behind your head until you feel a stretch in your triceps.
- Squeeze the muscles and extend upward, lifting the dumbbell until your arms are fully extended. You should feel the flex in your triceps at the top of the movement.
- Continue to lower and extend to add repetitions. When you’re done, carefully bring the dumbbell back overhead and set it down.
Finding the right grip can be a challenge with this movement. Try the same hand positioning you would use for a triangle or diamond push-up, with your fingers and palms supporting the base of the dumbbell.
You can also use a unilateral variation to this exercise to improve your muscle isolation. Instead of a two-handed grip, use a single hand in a neutral grip and repeat the repetitions on each side. You can also perform this exercise sitting on the edge of a bench to ensure you aren’t cheating the movement.
Learn more: 9 Dumbbell Tricep Exercises & The Best Way to Do Them
6. EZ Bar French Presses
The EZ bar French press is a tricep long head workout that combines overhead extensions and skull crushers. Skull crushers are an exercise that targets the lateral head tricep. The extended range of motion with the EZ bar French press helps focus the strength on the long head more so than with skull crushers.
Read and follow the steps below for the EZ bar French press.
- Grab an EZ bar and sit on an upright bench or slightly inclined (think 75-80 degrees).
- Use a narrow overhand grip to grab the bar. Some bodybuilders prefer to do a false grip with their thumbs in alignment with their fingers, rather than wrapped around the bar.
- Stretch the bar overhead, keeping your elbows tucked and triceps engaged.
- Keeping your upper arms upright, slowly lower the EZ bar behind your head until you feel the stretch in your triceps. Go as far as you can without moving your upper arms out of their upright position.
- Pull the EZ bar back over until you are almost extended. It’s essential not to fully extend your elbows for this movement.
To overload this movement, focus on adding repetitions rather than pushing the weight. Coming out of form on this exercise can easily cause an injury; quality of movement is essential.
More on this: 6 Killer EZ Curl Bar Exercises for Bigger Arms
7. Barbell Behind the Neck Presses
The barbell behind the neck press is a controversial long head tricep exercise because it’s typically seen as a common shoulder exercise. However, it’s also one of the surprisingly effective exercises for the long head of the tricep.
A study adapted from Boeckh-Behrens & Buskies, Fitness Strength Training: The Best Exercises and Methods of Sport and Health showed a surprising level of long head EMG activity during barbell behind the neck presses. As the long head tricep plays an essential role in shoulder stability, it makes sense.
The instructions below detail how to complete the tricep long head exercise featured in the video above.
- Grab a barbell with an overhand grip while standing with feet shoulder-width apart.
- Raise the barbell overhead and rest it across your shoulders, similar to a high-squat position. For heavier weights, use a rack. You want your hands to be just outside of shoulder-width in a narrow grip starting position.
- Brace your core and press the weight overhead until your arms are extended. Squeeze your muscles at the top and lower back to the starting position with slow, controlled movements. Keep your elbows tucked and engage your triceps to prevent flaring.
This is not a beginner-friendly exercise, and proper form and control are essential for engaging the long-head triceps.
Conclusion
The long head of the tricep is an important part of the tricep because it makes up most of the muscle. Effective long head tricep exercises are consequently important parts of your upper body routines. Proper form is key when targeting the long head due to its size and usage. Control your movements and up the repetitions before pushing the weight. With a combination of compound movements and isolation, you can get stronger long-head triceps and bigger arms. Follow the exercises we’ve listed above and keep our tips in mind to complete the exercises effectively.
