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Triceps Pushdown – Why Pain in Shoulders?

4 min read

Asked by: Frank Ford

A weak long head of the of the triceps can create poor positioning of the scapula resulting in shoulder pain, lower velocity when throwing or limited range of motion. As a result, surrounding muscles and joints may compensate, creating systemic problems in the shoulder region.

Do tricep pushdowns work shoulders?

With proper form and regular practice, tricep pushdowns can tone the muscles on the back of your arms and increase stabilization around your shoulder joint.

Can rotator cuff affect triceps?

Pain may also extend down the back (tricep area) of the arm. If the infraspinatus tendon is injured, pain is felt at the front of the shoulder and deep within the shoulder joint. Depending on the severity, pain may reach down the outer part of the arm and into the hand.

Should you lean forward when doing tricep pushdowns?

And the trick to getting the long head involved in the Tricep Pushdown is actually quite simple: Just tilt your torso forward at a 30- to 40-degree angle instead of standing straight up.

Should I go heavy on tricep pushdowns?

Mistake #2: Overloading / Too Much Weight



A triceps pushdown, in any form, is not an exercise where you’re supposed to overload. You save that for the big compound movements like a close-grip bench press or a triceps dip.

What muscles do tricep pushdowns work?

The primary muscle group worked by the triceps pushdown is, as you may have guessed, your triceps. The scientific term for the muscle is tricep brachii (Latin for “three-headed muscles of the arm”). The lateral, medial and long head of the triceps all operate together whenever you extend your arm.

How do you do tricep pushdowns?


Exhale. As you go into the push down and inhale as you return back to starting position. Some people may say to only bring your forearm opposite.

What are 2 warning signs of a rotator cuff tear?

Signs of a rotator cuff tear include:

  • Difficulty and pain caused by raising your arm.
  • Popping or clicking sounds or sensations when moving your arm.
  • Shoulder pain that worsens at night or when resting your arm.
  • Shoulder weakness and struggling to lift items.


How do you relieve rotator cuff pain?

Stop doing what caused the pain and try to avoid painful movements. Limit heavy lifting or overhead activity until your shoulder pain subsides. Icing your shoulder may help it feel better. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) also may be helpful.

How do you treat triceps tendonitis?

Home Remedies

  1. Avoid movement. Don’t move your arm or tricep for 2–3 days. Rest it and keep from moving it as much as you can.
  2. Ice the area. Hold a bag of ice wrapped in a towel or a bag of frozen peas on the tendon. …
  3. Brace. Try using a brace or supportive bandage to support the muscle.


Do tricep pushdowns work chest?

The triceps pushdown can help to increase upper body arm size (see below), enhance general pressing strength, and ultimately improve performance of the shoulders and chest muscles as they are often the secondary muscle group for most mass building movements like bench press, push press, push ups, dips, etc.

Are rope Pushdowns effective?

The triceps pushdown is one of the best exercises to work this muscle group and is a great option for both beginners and experienced lifters.

What can replace tricep pushdown?

The 12 best tricep pressdown alternatives are:

  • Dumbbell Skull Crushers.
  • Resistance Band Pressdowns.
  • Cable French Press.
  • Dumbbell Kickbacks.
  • Incline Close Grip Bench Press.
  • Close Grip Dips.
  • Single Arm Dumbbell Overhead Tricep Extension.
  • Single Arm Tricep Pressdown.

What is the most effective tricep exercise?

The 8 Most Effective Triceps Exercises

  1. Diamond Push-Ups.
  2. Kickbacks.
  3. Dips.
  4. Overhead Triceps Extensions.
  5. Rope Pushdowns.
  6. Bar Pushdowns.
  7. Lying Triceps Extensions.
  8. Close Grip Bench Presses.


Which skull does Skullcrushers work?

Benefits of skull crushers



The skull crusher is a good exercise to activate the medial head of the triceps, as compared to standing triceps extensions or other exercises in which your upper arm is at your side ( 4 ).

How do you target the long head of the triceps?

The Best Long Head Tricep Workout

  1. Close-Grip Bench Press: 3 sets of 4-to-6 reps with 2-to-3 min rest.
  2. Dips (weighted if possible): 3 sets of 6-to-8 reps with 2-to-3 min rest.
  3. Overhead Triceps Extension: 3 sets of 8-to-10 reps with 2-to-3 min rest.
  4. Cable Triceps Pushdown: 3 sets of 8-to-10 reps with 2-to-3 min rest.


Why my triceps are not growing?

Despite the use of big compound movements like the bench press and close grip bench press, the triceps just won’t grow as much as they should. This is because the lateral and medial head of the triceps are most responsible for extending the elbow under load. This is exactly what these popular pressing exercises do.

What does the long head of the triceps do?

With the arm adducted, the triceps muscle acts to hold the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity. This action helps prevent any displacement of the humerus. The long head also assists with the extension and adduction of the arm at the shoulder joint.