Back to library

Exercise Library

Cable Triceps Pushdown (V-Bar) (With Arm Blaster)

A V-bar cable pushdown performed while wearing an arm blaster, which pins the upper arms in place and removes elbow drift so the triceps do all the work.

ArmsCableElbow extension
GoLightWeight mediacable-triceps-pushdown-v-bar-with-arm-blaster

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

Triceps

Secondary

Forearm flexorsCore

Equipment

Cable

Pattern

Elbow extension

Setup

  1. 01Strap the arm blaster around the neck and rest it against the torso.
  2. 02Attach a V-bar to the high pulley of a cable stack.
  3. 03Grip the V-bar with a semi-pronated grip and seat the upper arms against the blaster pads.
  4. 04Stand close to the stack with a tall, braced torso.

Execution

  1. 01Start with the forearms just above parallel to the floor.
  2. 02Press the bar down until the elbows reach full lockout.
  3. 03Squeeze the triceps hard at the bottom.
  4. 04Let the bar rise under control until the forearms pass parallel again.

Checkpoints

  • -Upper arms stay pressed into the arm blaster pads for every rep.
  • -Wrists stay neutral, not folded back under the load.
  • -The lockout is complete on each rep; no half reps at the bottom.

Common mistakes

  • -Leaning over the bar and pressing with body weight.
  • -Letting the elbows lift off the pads at the top.
  • -Using a load that forces shoulder involvement.
  • -Flaring the wrists at lockout.

Programming notes

  • -Use 3 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps as an isolation finisher.
  • -Expect to use less weight than a free-standing pushdown because cheating is removed.
  • -Good drop-set candidate since the setup keeps form honest under fatigue.

Related exercises

Almost there

Coming soon to iOS & Android

GoLightWeight is in the final stretch. Free to download, no account required to start.

Coming soonApp Store
Coming soonGoogle Play