10 Best Cable Rear Drive Alternatives for Triceps Hypertrophy

The Cable Rear Drive is done standing with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Cable Triceps Pushdown (V-bar) (With Arm Blaster), the Cable Rope Incline Tricep Extension and the Low Cable Triceps Extension. Two harder versions, the Cable One Arm Tricep Extension and the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Cable Rear Drive

Cable Rear DrivePlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Triceps
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Shoulders, Back

How to perform Cable Rear Drive
  1. Attach a handle to a low pulley cable machine and stand facing away from the machine.
  2. Grasp the handle with an overhand grip and extend your arms straight out in front of you.
  3. Keeping your elbows stationary, pull the handle back towards your body, squeezing your triceps at the end of the movement.
  4. Slowly return the handle to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked 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. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for 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. Best match
    Cable Triceps Pushdown (V-bar) (With Arm Blaster)Play demonstration

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

    94% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the triceps.

    How to perform this exercise
    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. Cable Rope Incline Tricep ExtensionPlay demonstration

    2. Cable Rope Incline Tricep Extension

    90% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    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. Low Cable Triceps Extension

    3. Low Cable Triceps Extension

    90% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Select the desired weight and lay down face up on the bench of a seated row machine that has a rope attached to it. Your head should be pointing towards the attachment.
    2. Grab the outside of the rope ends with your palms facing each other (neutral grip).
    3. Position your elbows so that they are bent at a 90 degree angle and your upper arms are perpendicular (90 degree angle) to your torso. Tip: Keep the elbows in and make sure that the upper arms point to the ceiling while your forearms point towards the pulley above your head. This will be your starting position.
    4. As you breathe out, extend your lower arms until they are straight and vertical. The upper arms and elbows remain stationary throughout the movement. Only the forearms should move. Contract the triceps hard for a second.
    5. As you breathe in slowly return to the starting position.
    6. 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
  4. Cable KickbackPlay demonstration

    4. Cable Kickback

    88% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    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. Cable One Arm Tricep Extension

    Progression

    5. Cable One Arm Tricep Extension

    87% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    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. Cable Two Arm Tricep KickbackPlay demonstration

    Progression

    6. Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback

    86% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    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. Triceps Pushdown

    7. Triceps Pushdown

    86% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    The same equipment, taken with an overhand grip.

    How to perform this exercise
    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. Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment

    8. Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment

    86% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Attach a rope attachment to a high pulley and grab with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
    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 rope with the palms facing each other. This is your starting position.
    3. Using the triceps, bring the rope down as you bring each side of the rope to the side of your thighs. At the end of the movement the arms are fully extended and 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 holding for a second, at the contracted position, bring the rope 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
  9. Triceps Pushdown - V-bar Attachment

    9. Triceps Pushdown - V-bar Attachment

    86% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Attach a V-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. The thumbs should be higher than the small finger. 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 V-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
  10. Cable Standing One Arm Triceps ExtensionPlay demonstration

    10. Cable Standing One Arm Triceps Extension

    83% match
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, facing the cable machine.
    2. Hold the cable handle with your right hand, palm facing down, and position your arm so that it is fully extended and parallel to the ground.
    3. Keep your elbow stationary and close to your body.
    4. Slowly bend your elbow, lowering the cable handle towards the back of your head.
    5. Pause for a moment at the bottom of the movement, then extend your arm back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides and perform the exercise with your left 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

Why You Might Need a Cable Rear Drive Alternative

You may substitute Cable Rear Drive for several valid reasons: no cable station available, shoulder or elbow irritation from the cable line, or a program focus that needs a different joint angle. Alternatives let you target the triceps’ long, lateral, and medial heads via comparable extension mechanics. For example, overhead extensions increase long-head stretch while close-grip pressing boosts axial load and overall mass. Use a technique cue: brace your scapula, lock your elbow path, and pause briefly at the top to ensure peak triceps activation rather than momentum from the shoulder.

How to Choose the Right Cable Rear Drive Substitute

Select a substitute based on equipment, desired triceps head emphasis, and loading progression. If you lack cables, choose weighted dips or close-grip bench presses for heavy axial loading; if you want long-head stretch, choose overhead extensions. Prioritize the same movement pattern, elbow extension, so track tempo, range of motion, and progressive overload. Cue: control the eccentric for 2–3 seconds, keep the elbow fixed, and squeeze at full extension to maximize muscle fiber recruitment and mechanical tension.

Cable Rear Drive FAQ

What muscles does Cable Rear Drive work?

Cable Rear Drive primarily targets the triceps, especially the lateral and long heads, via elbow extension. Keep the elbow pinned and extend the forearm to full lockout to emphasize triceps activation rather than shoulder involvement.

Can I build muscle without doing Cable Rear Drive?

Yes, you can build triceps mass using presses, dips, and overhead extensions that reproduce elbow-extension mechanics. Ensure progressive overload, maintain strict elbows-in technique, and include variations like close-grip bench or weighted dips to progressively increase tension and hypertrophy.

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