When
a bodybuilder hits a double biceps, people may be under the assumption
that it is just looking like a pair of biceps. However the experienced
eye will quickly notice whether or not the athlete has paid attention to
the triceps to balance out his arms. And if such a bodybuilder will be
onstage, his placing could easily make him commit suicide. So the
proper triceps development is an absolute need to every bodybuilder who
respects himself.
I use the exercises described below in my triceps workout
routine because they affect my triceps directly and work the muscle from
different angles. It pumps the triceps thoroughly and makes my arms grow.
LYING BARBELL EXTENSIONS
I begin my triceps workout with lying barbell extensions using cambered bar. It's a powerful movement and one of the best mass building exercises. First set is warming-up set for 20 reps.
Then I load up a bar to make 6-7 strict movements finishing
with 2-3 forced reps. I do 3 sets of this exercise. It's important to use
a full range of motion stretching triceps at the bottom and squeezing it
at the top.
CABLE PUSHDOWNS
The next exercise is cable pushdowns. It's good flushing movement. I use medium-length straight bar. Keeping a body as straight up and down as possible, tuck the elbows in and concentrate on the triceps.
Each rep is strictly controlled and concentrated. At the bottom position
squeeze the triceps for a second or two. Usually I do 3 sets for 12-15
reps.
DIPS
After doing cable pushdowns I continue with dips. This
exercise blasts the triceps and works every part of the muscle. Use a little
wider than shoulder width grip and hang a plate between your legs for some
added resistance if you can do more than 15 full reps.
Keep a body from leaning too far forward (if you lean
too far forward it turns into more of chest exercise). Do not forget to
squeeze your triceps at the top. Do 3 sets for 12-15 reps.
SEATED ONE-ARM DUMBBELL EXTENSIONS
The last triceps movement is seated one arm behind-the-neck
dumbbell extensions. It will help you to make your outer triceps stick
out from the side. To maximize the intensity of the pump you have to use
the fullest range of motion you can get without going to the resting point.
Do not relax your triceps at the end of the movement. You have to feel
a tight stretch at the bottom and a hard squeeze at the top for a maximum
peak contraction. 3 sets for 15 reps will be optimal.
Pick-Up The Right Exercises
Obviously, the same exercise affects different people
differently depending on one's body type and many other reasons.
Now I will explain a method how to pick up a right exercise
exactly for you. It can be applied to any muscle group. Choose an exercise
you would like to check whether it works a part of the muscle you wish
to improve. Make 6-8 sets for 12-15 reps of that one exercise. After that
you will definitely see the part of your muscle that has got the most of
pumping. And you can easily realize what muscle part the exercise affects.
Hence you can make a right decision: to use it or not and how to use
it and which exercises to combine with.