French Press

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. Next, lower the weight behind your head without allowing your elbows to flare outward. Then, in a controlled manner, bring the weight back 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 on 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: 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. However, this term (Latin for “three-headed”) can be used for any skeletal muscle with three attachment points. The triceps accounts for approximately sixty percent of the arm’s mass. 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 shoulder blade (= the cavitas glenoidalis), at a part called the tuberculum infraglenoidale. In addition to its extension function, this long head also provides adduction of 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 your form 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 and not your body.
Keep looking straight ahead throughout the exercise.

At a glance