When you have hit a plateau and your triceps just do not seem to be gaining anymore muscle, grab the cables. Working out the triceps with cables will get you over the hump so you can still build your muscles. There is a difference when working with cables versus working with weights. The cables are going to keep the tension on the triceps the entire time you do the extensions. By keeping the tension on the triceps they will not get to rest so the muscles will start building up again.
There are many different cable tricep extension exercises that can be done when working out. Always make sure when doing the tricep extensions that you are doing the exercise correctly.
When doing the one arm tricep extension select the amount of weight you will work with. Then stand straight with one foot in front of your body and the other behind your body. It will look like you are walking just in smaller steps. Make sure you are standing right in front of the stack of weights. With your palm facing the ceiling grab the handle of the pulley. Slowly pull the handle until your arm is bent just a little under 90 degrees. Your forearm will be next to your body almost at waist level.
Once you are in position pull the handle all the way down until your arm is straight. If you are moving the upper part of your arm then you are doing the exercise incorrectly. The only part that will be moving in this motion is the forearm. Exhale as you are bringing your forearm down.
While your arm is straight down tighten your triceps. Hold the triceps tight for just a second. Then inhale and bring the forearm back up into your starting position. Continue performing this until all the repetitions are done then switch hands and start the whole procedure again.
For the low cable tricep extension select your weight then lay on your back on the bench. With knees bent place each foot flat on the ground on each side of the bench. Make sure your head is laying flat and pointing at the weights. With your palms facing towards each other grab the ends of the rope. Your elbows will point toward the sky and your hands will point at the machine.
While exhaling pull your forearms straight up so they are pointing at the sky. Once again only move your forearms and not your upper arm. While the forearms are pointing straight up tighten the triceps. Hold them tight for a few seconds then start inhaling as you go back to the starting position. Continue through all the motions until you have completed all your repetitions.
Both of these cable tricep extension exercises will help build the muscles again when you have hit a plateau with free weights.
While still concentrating on the triceps, get ready to work them out some more with the weighted bench dips.
