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Exercise Guide

How to do dumbbell one arm tricep extension

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

This unilateral isolation exercise allows you to focus on one arm at a time, ensuring equal development and strength. By extending the dumbbell overhead, you target the triceps through a full range of motion. It helps fix muscle imbalances and improves elbow stability. Using a single arm also engages the core to maintain an upright posture during the movement.

Stats

TIER
2
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Dumbbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Triceps

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  • Seated or Standing: You can perform this exercise either seated on a bench or standing with feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Grip: Grab a dumbbell and hold it vertically behind your head with your palm facing upwards (neutral grip). Your upper arm should be close to your head.
  • Engage Core: Tighten your core for stability.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the Extension: Keeping your upper arm still, extend your elbow to push the dumbbell upwards until your arm is fully extended.
  2. Squeeze at the Top: Briefly squeeze your triceps at the top of the movement.
  3. Controlled Return: Slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position, returning your hand behind your head.
  4. Reset: Rest briefly, then prepare for the next repetition.

Tips:

  • Focus on Your Triceps: Concentrate on using your triceps to move the weight, not momentum.
  • Don't Flare Elbows: Maintain an upright posture and keep your elbows pointed forward and close to your head to emphasize triceps engagement.

Common mistakes: Allowing the elbow to move away from the head and using a weight that is too heavy, leading to poor form.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable one arm tricep pushdown

Triceps
Cable

cable pushdown(with rope)

Triceps
Cable

cable one arm side triceps pushdown

Triceps
Bench

barbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable bent overhead tricep extension

Triceps
Cable

cable overhead triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell incline two arm triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable lying triceps extension(low)

Triceps
Cable

cable reverse grip triceps pushdown(sz-bar)

Triceps
Bench

barbell seated overhead triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm tricep extension

Triceps
Cable

cable lying triceps extension

Triceps
Bench

barbell lying triceps extension

Triceps
Triceps Extension Machine

machine triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable triceps pushdown(SZ bar)

Triceps
Decline Bench

ez-barbell decline triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm kickback

Triceps
Bench

dumbbell triceps kickback

Triceps
Dip Bar

weighted triceps dips

TricepsChest+1
None

dips on chair

TricepsChest+1
Barbell

barbell incline close grip bench press

TricepsFront Shoulder+1
None

kneeling triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell lying triceps extension

Triceps
Ez Barbell

ez-barbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable triceps pushdown(v-bar)

Triceps
Smith Machine

smit-machine close grip bench press

TricepsChest+1
Bench

barbell close grip bench press

TricepsChest+1