When it comes to achieving well-defined and sculpted arms, few muscle groups play as crucial a role as the triceps.
These three-headed muscles, situated on the back of the upper arm, contribute to arm strength and play a significant role in overall upper-body stability.
If you’re looking to develop strong and toned triceps without hitting the gym, look no further than your trusty set of dumbbells.
Dumbbell exercises offer versatility, convenience, and the ability to effectively target different parts of the triceps.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the best triceps exercises you can perform with dumbbells. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast looking to add some variety to your workout routine or a beginner seeking effective ways to build triceps strength, these exercises will undoubtedly take your arm training to new heights.
Let’s get started:
Table of Contents
ToggleDumbbell Triceps Workouts At Home
These dumbbell triceps movements at home will help you build the triceps of dreams:
1. Dumbbell Kickbacks
By performing this dumbbell triceps movement, you engage the triceps brachii, the three-headed muscle located at the back of your upper arm.
The primary benefit of dumbbell kickbacks is the isolated and concentrated activation of the triceps, leading to enhanced muscle definition and increased overall arm strength. As you extend your forearm back against resistance, you engage the triceps through a full range of motion, helping to develop both the lateral and long heads of the muscle.
This exercise also assists in improving muscular endurance and stability in the arms, which can be particularly beneficial in daily activities and other strength training routines.
Step-By-Step Guide
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and hold a dumbbell in each hand.
- Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and parallel to the ground.
- Bring your upper arms close to your sides, with your elbows bent at 90 degrees and your forearms pointing towards the ground.
- Inhale and extend your arms backward until they are fully straightened, squeezing your triceps at the top of the movement.
- Exhale as you slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position with controlled movement.
- Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.
2. Dumbbell Deficit Push Up
This exercise isolates and challenges the triceps, helping to improve their strength, endurance, and overall definition.
Additionally, the engagement of the chest and shoulder muscles further complements the triceps’ development, promoting balanced upper-body strength.
Dumbbell deficit push-ups are a versatile bodyweight exercise for triceps that can be adjusted to suit individual fitness levels, making them an excellent choice for anyone aiming to build impressive triceps and achieve a more well-rounded upper body physique.
Step-By-Step Guide
- Place two dumbbells on the floor, shoulder-width apart, and in line with your shoulders.
- Assume a plank position with your hands on the dumbbells and your feet on the ground. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels.
- Inhale and lower your chest towards the floor by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight and engaging your core.
- Lower yourself until your chest is just above the ground or as far as your flexibility allows.
- Exhale and push yourself back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.
Triceps Dumbbell Exercises For Beginners
If you are a beginner and you’d like to work your triceps like never before, start doing the following dumbbell triceps exercises:
3. Narrow Grip Dumbbell Press
The Narrow Grip Dumbbell Press is an effective exercise for targeting and developing the triceps muscles.
Firstly, the narrow grip places more emphasis on the lateral head of the triceps, helping to build overall arm size and strength. Secondly, it allows for a deeper range of motion compared to traditional bench presses, engaging the triceps more effectively and promoting muscle activation throughout the entire movement.
As a compound exercise, it recruits other supporting muscles like the shoulders and chest, leading to greater upper body strength and stability.
Additionally, the use of dumbbells in this exercise requires each arm to work independently, helping to correct any strength imbalances between the triceps.
Step-By-Step Guide
- Sit on a flat bench with your feet firmly planted on the ground, and a dumbbell in each hand.
- Position the dumbbells on your thighs, and then with the help of your knees, lift them one at a time to shoulder level.
- Your palms should be facing each other, and your elbows should be bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Inhale and press the dumbbells upward simultaneously, extending your arms fully without locking your elbows. Keep your wrists straight and the dumbbells balanced.
- Exhale as you lower the dumbbells back down in a controlled manner, slightly above your shoulders, while maintaining tension in your chest and triceps.
- Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.
4. Seated Dumbbell Overhead Triceps Extension
By performing this dumbbell triceps exercise regularly, individuals can expect to experience enhanced triceps strength and definition.
As the triceps are the primary muscles responsible for extending the elbow joint, this exercise promotes improved arm function and stability, which is essential for various daily activities and sports performance.
Moreover, engaging in the seated variation ensures proper isolation of the triceps, minimizing the involvement of other muscle groups and maximizing the focus on the target area. This exercise also aids in improving overall upper body strength and contributes to a more balanced physique.
Step-By-Step Guide
- Sit on a bench with back support and hold a dumbbell in each hand.
- Plant your feet flat on the ground and position the dumbbells on your thighs.
- Lift the dumbbells to shoulder height, keeping your palms facing upward and your elbows bent.
- Inhale, and as you exhale, extend your arms overhead until the dumbbells are directly above your head. Your palms should now be facing each other.
- Keeping your upper arms close to your ears, lower the dumbbells behind your head by bending your elbows. Feel a stretch in your triceps.
- Inhale and return to the starting position by extending your arms overhead.
- Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.
5. Dumbbell Skull Crushers
Dumbbell skull crushers have to be on your list of top triceps workouts with Dumbbells as this exercise offers numerous benefits for this muscle group.
As a compound movement that isolates the triceps, it helps to enhance muscle strength and size, leading to improved overall arm definition and aesthetics.
By extending the arms overhead and lowering the dumbbells towards the back of the head, the exercise places significant tension on the triceps, stimulating muscle fibers and encouraging growth.
Regularly incorporating this exercise into a workout routine can lead to enhanced triceps strength, improved performance in pressing movements, and greater functional upper body strength.
Step-By-Step Guide
- Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand. Extend your arms directly above your shoulders, and your palms should be facing each other.
- Plant your feet flat on the ground, and position the dumbbells so they are slightly touching.
- Inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells towards your temples by bending your elbows. Your upper arms should remain stationary throughout the movement.
- Keep your elbows pointed up and avoid letting the dumbbells drift too far back, as this can put unnecessary strain on your shoulders.
- Once you feel a stretch in your triceps, exhale and push the dumbbells back up to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- Repeat the movement for the desired number of repetitions.
Over To You
Strong and sculpted triceps are within your reach, and all you need is a set of dumbbells and the right exercises to achieve your goals.
The triceps dumbbell exercises we covered in this blog post offer a comprehensive and effective approach to targeting and developing the triceps muscles.
Remember to start with a weight that allows you to perform each exercise with proper form.
Gradually increase the weight as you gain strength and confidence. Additionally, always warm up before engaging in any exercise routine to prevent injuries.