Reverse Triceps Bench Press
Reverse Triceps Bench Press is an intermediate compound barbell exercise that mainly works your triceps, with help from your chest and shoulders.


How to do the reverse triceps bench press
- Lie back on a flat bench. Using a close, supinated grip (around shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked extended in front of you and perpendicular to the floor. This will be your starting position.
- As you breathe in, come down slowly until you feel the bar on your middle chest. Tip: Make sure that as opposed to a regular bench press, you keep the elbows close to the torso at all times in order to maximize triceps involvement.
- After a second pause, bring the bar back to the starting position as you breathe out and push the bar using your triceps muscles. Lock your arms in the contracted position, hold for a second and then start coming down slowly again. Tip: It should take at least twice as long to go down than to come up.
- Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.
- When you are done, place the bar back in the rack.
Muscles worked
Sets and reps
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
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Start your free trialReverse Triceps Bench Press alternatives
Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.
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Triceps PushdownCable · BeginnerFAQ
What muscles does the reverse triceps bench press work?
It mainly works your triceps; your chest and shoulders assist.
How many sets and reps of reverse triceps bench press should I do?
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
Is the reverse triceps bench press good for beginners?
It suits lifters with some experience. Beginners can start with a lighter weight or one of the alternatives below.