Arms · Cable
Tricep Pushdown
How to do the tricep pushdown, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Cable
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
See it in motion
How to do it
Stand facing a cable machine with high pulley. Grasp rope attachment with overhand grip. Keeping upper arms stationary, extend arms to push rope down. Slowly return to starting position.
- 1Stand close to the cable and push the handle straight down by extending your elbows, feeling your triceps contract
- 2Keep your elbows pinned to your sides and your wrists neutral
- 3Pause at the bottom of the movement to emphasise the lockout
Common mistakes
- Don't let your elbows drift forward or flare out wide
- Avoid using your shoulders or leaning your body to push the weight
- Don't let the weight stack slam between reps; control the return
Muscles worked
The tricep pushdown mainly works the triceps, with the lower chest assisting.
- TricepsPrimary
- Lower ChestSupport
- ForearmsMinor
Kovo programs the tricep pushdown for you and tracks it every session.
The AI builds your whole program, drops the right lifts into each workout, and adjusts your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More triceps exercises
- How to do the kickback
- How to do the skullcrushers
- How to do the cable overhead extension
- How to do the dumbbell overhead extension
- How to do the barbell skull crushers
- How to do the tricep extension
Last reviewed April 2026.