Incline Barbell Triceps Extension

How to do the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension

1. Hold a barbell with an overhand grip (palms down) that is a little closer together than shoulder width.
2. Lie back on an incline bench set at any angle between 45-75-degrees.
3. Bring the bar overhead with your arms extended and elbows in. The arms should be in line with the torso above the head. This will be your starting position.
4. Now lower the bar in a semicircular motion behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps. Inhale as you perform this movement. Tip: Keep your upper arms stationary and close to your head at all times. Only the forearms should move.
5. Return to the starting position as you breathe out and you contract the triceps. Hold the contraction for a second.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	triceps
Secondary	forearms
Equipment	barbell
Difficulty	intermediate
Type	isolation

No barbell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Body-Up Bodyweight Body Tricep Press Bodyweight Standing Towel Triceps Extension Bodyweight Band Skull Crusher Resistance Bands Speed Band Overhead Triceps Resistance Bands Bench Dips Bodyweight

Easier than the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension

Same movement pattern, lower entry difficulty — work up from here.

EZ-Bar Skullcrusher beginner · EZ Curl Bar Band Skull Crusher beginner · Resistance Bands Body Tricep Press beginner · Bodyweight

Harder than the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension

Bench Press with Chains expert · Barbell

Superset the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension with

Opposing biceps work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Lying High Bench Barbell Curl biceps Seated Close-Grip Concentration Barbell Curl biceps Drag Curl biceps Barbell Curl biceps

Common questions

What muscles does the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension work?

The Incline Barbell Triceps Extension primarily works the triceps, with the forearms as secondary movers. Body-Up, EZ-Bar Skullcrusher, and Band Skull Crusher train the same muscle, across 9 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension?

A Barbell. Without a barbell, Body-Up, Body Tricep Press, and Standing Towel Triceps Extension train the same muscle, and 11 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension suitable for beginners?

It is rated intermediate. Start with EZ-Bar Skullcrusher, Band Skull Crusher, and Body Tricep Press and work up.

Where should the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension go in a workout?

Late — the Incline Barbell Triceps Extension is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Lying High Bench Barbell Curl and Seated Close-Grip Concentration Barbell Curl cuts session time without extra rest.

Similar exercises

Body-Up Bodyweight EZ-Bar Skullcrusher EZ Curl Bar Band Skull Crusher Resistance Bands Body Tricep Press Bodyweight Cable Incline Triceps Extension Cable Machine Cable Lying Triceps Extension Cable Machine