Arms · Isolation

Cable Rope Triceps Pushdown

A triceps isolation exercise using a rope attachment, allowing the hands to separate at the bottom for maximum contraction. Spreading the rope ends at lockout lets the triceps shorten fully, producing a harder peak contraction than any straight bar allows. It is the standard first isolation movement in a triceps session and a reliable high-rep finisher.

Beginner Cable Isolation Push
cable-rope-triceps-pushdown-poster
  • Level Beginner
  • Equipment Cable
  • Primary Muscles Triceps
  • Movement Isolation Push

Demonstration

Watch the Form Demo

Technique

How to Do the Cable Rope Triceps Pushdown

  1. Attach a rope to a high pulley and grip an end in each hand, palms facing each other.
  2. Stand tall with a slight forward lean and pin your elbows to your sides.
  3. Push the rope down until your arms are fully straight.
  4. Separate the rope ends at the bottom, turning the palms slightly down, and squeeze.
  5. Let your forearms rise under control until they pass parallel with the floor.
  6. Keep the elbows fixed in place for the entire set.

Anatomy

Muscles Worked

arms
Primary muscles
Triceps

Do This

Form Cues

  • Pin the elbows to your sides for the whole rep.
  • Separate the rope ends at the bottom and squeeze.
  • Let the forearms rise until they are level with the floor, no higher.
  • The spread at the bottom is the rep's whole payoff. Pause there for a beat every time.

Avoid This

Common Mistakes

  • Letting the elbows drift forward so the shoulders take over.
  • Leaning your body weight into the rope.
  • Cutting the lockout short and never fully extending.
  • Stacking so much weight that the torso has to press down on the rope to move it.

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