10 Best Cable Rear Drive Alternatives for Triceps Hypertrophy

The 10 Best Cable Rear Drive Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Cable Rear Drive on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Play demonstration

   1. Cable Triceps Pushdown (V-bar) (With Arm Blaster)

   94% match

   Triceps · Beginner · Isolation

   It uses the same equipment and still works the triceps.

   • Cable

   How to perform it

   1. Attach a v-bar attachment to the cable machine at the highest setting.
   2. Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   3. Grasp the v-bar with an overhand grip, palms facing down, and your hands shoulder-width apart.
   4. Keep your elbows close to your sides and your upper arms stationary throughout the exercise.
   5. Engage your triceps and exhale as you push the v-bar down until your arms are fully extended.
   6. Pause for a moment at the bottom of the movement, squeezing your triceps.
   7. Inhale as you slowly return the v-bar to the starting position, maintaining control.
   8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
2. Play demonstration

   2. Cable Rope Incline Tricep Extension

   90% match

   Triceps · Beginner · Isolation

   Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the triceps.

   • Cable

   How to perform it

   1. Attach a rope to a high pulley and adjust the incline bench to a comfortable angle.
   2. Stand facing away from the pulley with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   3. Grasp the rope with an overhand grip and extend your arms straight overhead.
   4. Keep your elbows close to your head and your upper arms stationary throughout the exercise.
   5. Lower the rope behind your head by bending your elbows until your forearms touch your biceps.
   6. Pause for a moment, then extend your arms back to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Rear Drive

3. 3. Low Cable Triceps Extension

   90% match

   Triceps · Beginner · Isolation

4. Play demonstration

   4. Cable Kickback

   88% match

   Triceps · Beginner · Isolation

   Pick this when you want to work the triceps one side at a time.

   • Cable

   How to perform it

   1. Stand facing a cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Hold the cable handle with your right hand and step back to create tension in the cable.
   3. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
   4. Keep your upper arm close to your body and your elbow bent at a 90-degree angle.
   5. Extend your forearm backward, straightening your arm fully.
   6. Pause for a moment, then slowly return to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
5. 

   Progression

   5. Cable One Arm Tricep Extension

   87% match

   Triceps · Intermediate · Isolation

   Pick this when you want a harder single-arm version that still works the triceps.

   • Cable

   How to perform it

   1. With your right hand, grasp a single handle attached to the high-cable pulley using a supinated (underhand; palms facing up) grip. You should be standing directly in front of the weight stack.
   2. Now pull the handle down so that your upper arm and elbow are locked in to the side of your body. Your upper arm and forearm should form an acute angle (less than 90-degrees). You can keep the other arm by the waist and you can have one leg in front of you and the other one back for better balance. This will be your starting position.
   3. As you contract the triceps, move the single handle attachment down to your side until your arm is straight. Breathe out as you perform this movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move. Your upper arms should remain stationary at all times.
   4. Squeeze the triceps and hold for a second in this contracted position.
   5. Slowly return the handle to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then perform the same movement with the other arm.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
6. Play demonstration

   Progression

   6. Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback

   86% match

   Triceps · Intermediate · Isolation

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the triceps.

   • Cable

   How to perform it

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
   2. Hold the cable handle in each hand with your palms facing inwards and your arms bent at a 90-degree angle.
   3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, extend your forearms backwards until your arms are fully extended.
   4. Pause for a moment, then slowly return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
7. 

   7. Triceps Pushdown

   86% match

   Triceps · Beginner · Isolation

   The same equipment, taken with an overhand grip.

   • Cable

   How to perform it

   1. Attach a straight or angled bar to a high pulley and grab with an overhand grip (palms facing down) at shoulder width.
   2. Standing upright with the torso straight and a very small inclination forward, bring the upper arms close to your body and perpendicular to the floor. The forearms should be pointing up towards the pulley as they hold the bar. This is your starting position.
   3. Using the triceps, bring the bar down until it touches the front of your thighs and the arms are fully extended perpendicular to the floor. The upper arms should always remain stationary next to your torso and only the forearms should move. Exhale as you perform this movement.
   4. After a second hold at the contracted position, bring the bar slowly up to the starting point. Breathe in as you perform this step.
   5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Rear Drive
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Rear Drive

8. 8. Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment

   86% match

   Triceps · Beginner · Isolation

9. 9. Triceps Pushdown - V-bar Attachment

   86% match

   Triceps · Beginner · Isolation

10. 10. Cable Standing One Arm Triceps Extension

    83% match

    Triceps · Beginner · Isolation