How to Perform a Proper Triceps Press Down

The triceps muscle is the largest muscle of the arm. In the world of weight lifting and body building, the triceps press down is one of the most popular and useful exercises for building triceps strength and definition. Read on to learn how to perform a proper triceps press down.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Form
• Patience
• Practice

1. 

   Keep Your Back Straight - As with many other exercises, allowing your back to arch or move while doing a triceps press down can lessen the effectiveness of the exercise. Your back should be straight - or nearly straight - for the entire duration of a triceps press down.

2. 

   Keep Your elbows Tucked - In addition to keeping your back straight, keeping your elbows tucked in close to your sides will greatly increase the effectiveness of a triceps press down. Allowing your elbows to point outward from your body during any phase of a triceps press down will prevent your triceps muscle from being fully stressed.

3. Use Smooth, Steady Movement - Throughout the entire movement of a triceps press down, be sure to use smooth, controlled movements. Gently press the weight down, and when your arms and elbows are fully extended, gently allow the weight to push back up to the starting position.

4. Use Proper Weight - Be sure that you are using a weight that is not too heavy. If you have to struggle and squirm with the weight or contort your body into strange positions in order to execute the lift, you are using too much weight. Drop the weight down until you can execute the exercise with proper form.

5. Use a Solid Stance - Stand with both of your feet pointing forward roughly shoulder width apart. You should have a firm, solid stance, and your balance should be centered directly over your feet.

[MommyBear]

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