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Cholesterol Unmasked

Cholesterol. I think we can all agree that it may very well be one of the most feared nutrients in ...

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The Essentials of Bodypart Specialization: Quad Training

It is important to keep in mind that these 10 key suggestions for Quad training will fly in the face ...

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Interview Q&A Series with Ben: Intensity vs. Volume

Question: “Let’s say we have your average trainee who works out four of five times a week, working each bodypart ...

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How to Bench for a MASSIVE Chest (Hint… you’re doing it wrong!)

Are the results of your bench pressing, sore shoulders & a flat chest? Time to do things right. Here Ben ...

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Estrogen: Hormone From Hell Or Essential For Health?

Mention the term ‘steroid hormone’ to most beginner bodybuilders and they may assume you are talking about the most coveted ...

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Can I Combine Fats and Carbs in the Same Meal?

If you’re looking for a good recipe for fat storage, high insulin and high fat in the blood is the ...

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Chest Presses

Ben's step-by-step guidelines for performing the best chest pressing movements for maximal muscle growth!

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Shrugs

Want titan-sized traps? Here are the best 'shrugging' exercises and how to execute them to pack on the pounds!

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General Exercise Principles

General Exercise Principles to Learn

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Ab Vacuums

Looking for a 'trick' to help you get a smaller waistline? Vacuums are what you're looking for...

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Tricep Pushdowns / Pressdowns

Want horseshoe triceps? Execution is key. Here's everything you need to know...

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Chest Flyes

There's nothing better than a good fly movement to really isolate and focus on squeezing the pecs... Ben breaks down ...

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Tricep Pushdowns / Pressdowns


Guidelines for all tricep pushdown movements
(unless specifically stated otherwise)

  • keep head neutral (no looking up or down), shoulders back / scapula contracted (no internal / external rotation of shoulders)
  • maintain elbows in a fixed position, inline with shoulders and wrists, turned inwards (facing the front) while consciously shoving them towards each other throughout (don’t allow them to flair out to the sides)
  • mentally think about creating an ‘arc’ as opposed to just going straight up and down
  • aim for full elbow flexion and extension; touch forearms to biceps at the top (try to really squeeze the biceps in order to fully lengthen the triceps) and shove right down aiming to the floor at the bottom
  • if you’re under complete control of the weight and you posses healthy joints, locking-out at the bottom is fine, otherwise do not.  Perhaps switch it up every now and then taking into consideration how heavy the weight you’re using is.

 

Tricep Cable Pushdowns / Pressdowns – Overhand or Reverse-Grip

At the top

At the bottom

    Exercise Specific:

  • for reverse-grip variation: avoid using a straight bar (potential for compromised / uncomfortable wrists); use a cambered bar or similar.
  • keep in mind that to achieve a maximum shortening of the triceps, the elbows must be behind the torso, though for maximum power and strength they must be slightly in front
  • as an intensifier, move arms up higher and higher closer to the mid-range as fatigue sets in.

 

Neutral-Grip Rope Tricep Pushdowns / Pressdowns

At the top

adding ‘intensifier’ at the bottom

    Exercise Specific:

  • as an intensifier, you can choose to pronate the wrists outwards at the bottom while squeezing the triceps hard.

 

One-Arm Rope Tricep Pushdowns / Pressdowns

    Exercise Specific:

  • keep wrist, elbow, and shoulder in a straight line
  • wrist neutral and rigid
  • do not allow the shoulder to move or the elbow to travel forward.

 

One-Arm Machine Tricep Pushdown

    Exercise Specific:

  • keep wrist, elbow, and shoulder in a straight line
  • wrist neutral and rigid
  • drive tricep into the pad.

 

Duel-Rope Tricep Pushdowns / Pressdowns with elbows back

palms facing each other

    Exercise Specific:

  • attach two ropes to the one pulley and try to extend the arms behind the torso at the bottom while contracting the triceps hard (keep the elbows fixed as always throughout).