10 Best Dumbbell Tate Press Alternatives for Triceps Growth
The Dumbbell Tate Press is done seated with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Barbell Seated Close Grip Behind Neck Triceps Extension, the Seated Bent-over Two-arm Dumbbell Triceps Extension and the Dumbbell Seated Bench Extension.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Dumbbell Tate Press
- Primary muscle
- Triceps
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Isolation
Secondary muscles: Shoulders
How to perform Dumbbell Tate Press
- Sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
- Raise the dumbbells to shoulder height, then rotate your wrists so that your palms are facing away from you.
- Press the dumbbells up until your arms are fully extended, then lower them back down to shoulder height.
- Rotate your wrists back to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Dumbbell Tate Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Tate Press 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.
Best match - Triceps
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the triceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
- Hold the barbell with a close grip behind your neck, palms facing forward.
- Keep your elbows close to your head and slowly lower the barbell towards the back of your head.
- Pause for a moment, then extend your arms back up to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the triceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Sit down at the end of a flat bench with a dumbbell in both arms using a neutral grip (palms of the hand facing you).
- Bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward, by bending at the waist, while keeping the back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Make sure that you keep the head up.
- The upper arms with the dumbbells should be close to the torso and aligned with it (lifted up until they are parallel to the floor while the forearms are pointing towards the floor as the hands hold the weights). Tip: There should be a 90-degree angle between the forearms and the upper arm. This is your starting position.
- Keeping the upper arms stationary, use the triceps to lift the weight as you exhale until the forearms are parallel to the floor and the whole arm is extended. Like many other arm exercises, only the forearm moves.
- After a second contraction at the top, slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position as you inhale.
- Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
3. Dumbbell Seated Bench Extension
94% match- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
- Hold a dumbbell with both hands and extend your arms straight up above your head.
- Slowly lower the dumbbell behind your head, keeping your elbows close to your ears.
- Pause for a moment, then raise the dumbbell back up to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench or chair with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
- Hold a dumbbell with both hands, palms facing down, and extend your arms straight up overhead.
- Keeping your upper arms close to your head and elbows pointing forward, slowly lower the dumbbell behind your head by bending your elbows.
- Pause for a moment, then extend your arms back up to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: standing, not seated
- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Lie down on a flat bench holding two dumbbells directly above your shoulders. Your arms should be fully extended and form a 90 degree angle from your torso and the floor.
- The palms of your hands should be facing forward, and your elbows should be tucked in. This will be your starting position.
- Now, inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells until they are near your ears. Be sure to keep your upper arms stationary and your elbows tucked in.
- Then, exhale and use your triceps to return the weight to the starting position.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: lying on your back, not seated
- Triceps
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your head at the end of the bench.
- Hold a barbell with an overhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart, and extend your arms straight up over your chest.
- Keeping your upper arms stationary, slowly lower the barbell behind your head by bending your elbows.
- Pause for a moment, then extend your arms back up to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: lying on your back, not seated
- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
Pick this when you want an easier single-arm version that still works the triceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
- Hold a dumbbell in one hand and place your other hand on the bench for support.
- Raise the dumbbell overhead, keeping your upper arm close to your head and your elbow pointing forward.
- Lower the dumbbell behind your head by bending your elbow, keeping your upper arm stationary.
- Extend your arm back up to the starting position, fully straightening your elbow.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Triceps
- Dumbbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Secure your legs at the end of the decline bench and lie down with a dumbbell on each hand on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand will be facing each other.
- Once you are laying down, move the dumbbells in front of you at shoulder width. The palms of the hands should be facing each other and the arms should be perpendicular to the floor and fully extended. This will be your starting position.
- As you breathe in and you keep the upper arms stationary (and elbows in), bring the dumbbells down slowly by moving your forearms in a semicircular motion towards you until your thumbs are next to your ears. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement.
- Lift the dumbbells back to the starting position by contracting the triceps and exhaling.
- 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 Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: lying on your back, not seated
9. Barbell Lying Triceps Extension
87% match- Triceps
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your head at the end of the bench.
- Hold the barbell with an overhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart, and extend your arms straight up over your chest.
- Keeping your upper arms stationary, slowly lower the barbell towards your forehead by bending your elbows.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then extend your arms back up to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: lying on your back, not seated
- Triceps
- Barbell
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Lie flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your head at the end of the bench.
- Hold the barbell with an overhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart, and extend your arms straight up over your chest.
- Keeping your upper arms stationary, slowly lower the barbell towards your forehead by bending your elbows.
- Pause for a moment when the barbell is just above your forehead, then extend your arms back up to the starting position.
- 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 Dumbbell Tate Press
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Tate Press
- Body position: lying on your back, not seated
Why You Might Need a Dumbbell Tate Press Alternative
You might substitute the Dumbbell Tate Press for several reasons: wrist or elbow pain with the inward grip, lack of appropriate dumbbells, or a need for heavier loading and simpler progressions. Alternatives let you change shoulder angle and grip to shift activation between the long head (best with overhead work) and the lateral/medial heads (best with elbow-focused presses and pushdowns). When choosing one, test mobility and pain by performing a single slow repetition and cue yourself to keep the elbow axis stable and the shoulder packed to minimize compensation.
Dumbbell Tate Press FAQ
What muscles does Dumbbell Tate Press work?
The Dumbbell Tate Press primarily targets the triceps, lateral and medial heads, through elbow extension while the shoulder remains relatively fixed. It also recruits the anterior deltoid and pecs for stabilization; cue yourself to keep the elbows pointed inward and the upper arm stationary to concentrate load on the triceps.
Can I build muscle without doing Dumbbell Tate Press?
Yes, you can build triceps mass using many movements that apply progressive overload and full range of motion, such as close-grip presses, skull crushers, and weighted dips. Apply slow eccentrics (about 3 seconds) and ensure full elbow extension each rep to maximize mechanical tension and muscle growth.
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