10 Best Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown Alternatives for Triceps Isolation
The Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown is done standing with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Bodyweight Kneeling Triceps Extension, Elbow Dips and the Reverse Dip.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown

- Primary muscle
- Triceps
- Equipment
- Cable
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Type
- Isolation
How to perform Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Start by setting a bar attachment (straight or e-z) on a high pulley machine.
- Facing the bar attachment, grab it with the palms facing up (supinated grip) at shoulder width. Lower the bar by using your lats until your arms are fully extended by your sides. Tip: Elbows should be in by your sides and your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position.
- Slowly elevate the bar attachment up as you inhale so it is aligned with your chest. Only the forearms should move and the elbows/upper arms should be stationary by your side at all times.
- Then begin to lower the cable bar back down to the original staring position while exhaling and contracting the triceps hard.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Ranked Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown 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
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Isolation
Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the triceps with bodyweight alone.
How to perform this exercise
- Kneel down on the ground with your knees hip-width apart.
- Place your hands on the ground in front of you, shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
- Extend your legs straight behind you, balancing on your toes and hands, forming a straight line from head to heels.
- Bend your elbows and lower your upper body towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: kneeling, not standing
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
2. Elbow Dips
58% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
- Slide your hips forward off the bench and straighten your legs, keeping your heels on the ground.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: standing, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
3. Reverse Dip
57% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: standing, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
4. Ring Dips
54% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by hanging from the rings with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your shoulders are below your elbows.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: a suspension trainer, not a cable
- Body position: standing, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown

5. Bench Dips
53% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- For this exercise you will need to place a bench behind your back. With the bench perpendicular to your body, and while looking away from it, hold on to the bench on its edge with the hands fully extended, separated at shoulder width. The legs will be extended forward, bent at the waist and perpendicular to your torso. This will be your starting position.
- Slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows until you lower yourself far enough to where there is an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Forearms should always be pointing down.
- Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: seated, not standing

6. Dips - Triceps Version
48% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- To get into the starting position, hold your body at arm's length with your arms nearly locked above the bars.
- Now, inhale and slowly lower yourself downward. Your torso should remain upright and your elbows should stay close to your body. This helps to better focus on tricep involvement. Lower yourself until there is a 90 degree angle formed between the upper arm and forearm.
- Then, exhale and push your torso back up using your triceps to bring your body back to the starting position.
- Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: hanging, not standing
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
7. Triceps Dip (Between Benches)
44% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge of the bench, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: standing, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
8. Impossible Dips
44% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body suspended in the air.
- Bend your knees and cross your ankles.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: inverted, not standing
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
9. Stalder Press
44% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended overhead.
- Bend your knees slightly and engage your core.
- Lower your body down into a squat position while keeping your arms extended overhead.
- As you squat down, press your arms down towards the ground, engaging your triceps.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom of the squat, then push through your heels to stand back up while simultaneously raising your arms back overhead.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: inverted, not standing
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
10. Triceps Press
43% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Extend your arms straight out in front of you, parallel to the ground.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your upper arms close to your sides.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself 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 Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
- Body position: kneeling, not standing
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