10 Best Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback Alternatives for Home Gyms

The Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback is done standing with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Cable Rear Drive, the Cable Rope Incline Tricep Extension and the Low Cable Triceps Extension.

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

Original Exercise: Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback

Primary muscle
Triceps
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Shoulders

How to perform Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
  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.
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Ranked Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback 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.

    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    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 Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
  1. Low Cable Triceps Extension
    • 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 Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    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 Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
  2. Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment
    • 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 Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
  3. Machine Triceps Extension
    • Triceps
    • Machine
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    A good swap when you have a machine to work with, and it still works the triceps.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the seat to the appropriate height and make your weight selection. Place your upper arms against the pads and grasp the handles. This will be your starting position.
    2. Perform the movement by extending the elbow, pulling your lower arm away from your upper arm.
    3. Pause at the completion of the movement, and then slowly return the weight to the starting position.
    4. Avoid returning the weight all the way to the stops until the set is complete to keep tension on the muscles being worked.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a machine, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Hold the cable handle with your right hand and bring your arm up so that your upper arm is parallel to the ground and your elbow is bent at a 90-degree angle.
    3. Keep your upper arm stationary and extend your forearm backward, fully straightening your arm.
    4. Pause for a moment, then slowly return to the starting position.
    5. Repeat with your left arm.
    6. Continue alternating arms for the desired number of repetitions.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
  4. Standing Low-pulley One-arm Triceps Extension
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Grab a single handle with your left arm next to the low pulley machine. Turn away from the machine keeping the handle to the side of your body with your arm fully extended. Now use both hands to elevate the single handle directly above the head with the palm facing forward. Keep your upper arm completely vertical (perpendicular to the floor) and put your right hand on your left elbow to help keep it steady. This is the starting position.
    2. Keeping your upper arms close to your head (elbows in) and perpendicular to the floor, lower the resistance in a semicircular motion behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps. Tip: The upper arms should remain stationary and only the forearms should move. Breathe in as you perform this step.
    3. Go back to the starting position by using the triceps to raise the single handle. Breathe out as you perform this step.
    4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
    5. Switch arms and repeat the exercise.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
  5. Cable Lying Triceps Extension
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Lie on a flat bench and grasp the straight bar attachment of a low pulley with a narrow overhand grip. Tip: The easiest way to do this is to have someone hand you the bar as you lay down.
    2. With your arms extended, position the bar over your torso. Your arms and your torso should create a 90-degree angle. This will be your starting position.
    3. Lower the bar by bending at the elbow while keeping the upper arms stationary and elbows in. Go down until the bar lightly touches your forehead. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement.
    4. Flex the triceps as you lift the bar back to its starting position. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
    5. Hold for a second at the contracted position and 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 Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Body position: lying on your back, not standing
  6. Triceps Pushdown
    • Triceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    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 Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback

How to Choose the Right Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback Substitute

Choose a substitute by matching movement pattern, equipment access, and joint tolerance. If you want long‑head emphasis pick overhead extensions; for lateral‑head bias use pushdowns or kickbacks. Free weights force scapular and rotator cuff stability, while cables maintain constant tension. Cue: pin the elbow, extend to a controlled lockout, and avoid shoulder swing to keep triceps recruitment high. Progress with added load, tempo changes, or increased time under tension to replicate the isolation effect.

Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback FAQ

What muscles does Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback work?

It primarily targets the triceps brachii, especially the lateral and long heads, by isolating elbow extension. By keeping the upper arm fixed and extending at the elbow, you minimize shoulder contribution and maximize triceps activation. Cue: hinge slightly and pin the elbow to focus force through the triceps.

Can I build muscle without doing Cable Two Arm Tricep Kickback?

Yes. You can drive triceps growth with pushdowns, overhead extensions, skull crushers, dips, or close‑grip presses using progressive overload. Focus on controlled eccentrics and full lockouts to increase time under tension and maximize triceps activation. Cue: prioritize strict elbow extension and avoid momentum.

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