Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension

The Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension, also known as the French Press, is a fitness exercise for training the triceps using dumbbells, barbells, or a cable machine. Unlike the lying triceps extension, or skull crushers, the Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension is performed seated. As a result, the triceps play an important role, while the shoulders are also involved in the exercise. Perform this exercise by taking a barbell or EZ bar loaded with the weight you want to train with. Grip the bar at shoulder width. Then extend your arms with the weight above your head. Lower the weight behind your head without allowing your elbows to point outward. Then controlledly return the weight to the starting position.

Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension Execution

1
Take a barbell or EZ bar and load it with the weight you want to use for the exercise.
2
Grip the barbell with an overhand grip, palms facing downward, at shoulder width.
3
Lift the barbell above your head and keep your elbows slightly bent. This places the pressure on your triceps rather than your elbows.
4
This is the starting position of the exercise.
5
Slowly lower the barbell behind your head. Your elbows should remain fixed here.
6
Hold the weight briefly, then bring it back to the starting position.

Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension

Primary muscle group: Triceps
Secondary muscle groups: Shoulders
Exercise type: Isolation exercise
Equipment required: EZ Bar / Barbell / Dumbbell

Force type: Push
Difficulty level: Beginner

The Triceps

The musculus triceps brachii is a large, three-headed skeletal muscle in humans. The muscle lies along the back of the upper arm and consists of the following heads:

The long head (caput longum)
The lateral head (caput laterale)
The medial head (caput mediale)

Musculus triceps brachii

The musculus triceps brachii is usually simply called the triceps. This term (Latin for “three-headed”) can, however, be used for any skeletal muscle with three attachment points. The triceps accounts for approximately sixty percent of the mass of the arm. The triceps extends the elbow and therefore works opposite the biceps, which flexes it. The long head, the caput longum, begins below the glenoid cavity of the scapula (= the cavitas glenoidalis), at a region called the infraglenoid tubercle. In addition to its extensor function, this long head also adducts the shoulder. The other two parts (caput mediale and caput laterale) originate on the posterior side of the upper arm bone (humerus). The muscle attaches to the olecranon of the ulna.

Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension Technique

An important point of focus during the Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension is technique. The weight moves primarily above and behind your head. Therefore, pay attention to the execution and your elbows.
Do not lock your elbows; therefore, keep your arms slightly bent when extending the weight above your head.
Move only your arms, not your body.
Keep looking straight ahead throughout the execution.

At a glance