Bicep/Tricep Machines

A tricep machine gives the back of your upper arm a fixed path to push against, whether you are extending overhead, pressing a handle down or driving out of a seated dip. This collection pulls those machines together with bicep/tricep combos, dip stations and cable attachments. Muscle D Fitness and Body-Solid supply most of it, and two Ropeflex rope machines round out the mix. Use it to add dedicated triceps work to a home gym or to fill the arm corner of a training floor.

How to choose a tricep machine by movement

Triceps equipment splits into a few movement patterns, and most lifters end up wanting at least two of them.

• Overhead extension. Your arms start overhead and straighten against the load. The Muscle D Power Leverage V2 Overhead Triceps is plate-loaded on an 11-gauge steel frame with built-in weight storage, and the Muscle D Pro Strength Overhead Triceps Extension is an adjustable plate-loaded alternative.
• Seated dip and triceps press. You press handles down beside your hips from a seat. Muscle D's Power Leverage V2 Seated Dip / Triceps Press adds multi-grip handles and a gas-assisted seat. For bodyweight dips, the Body-Solid GVKR82B knee raise, dip and pull-up station includes dip handles with oversized grips.
• Pin-select press-downs and presses. Selectorized frames suit gyms with several users: the Muscle D Vogue Triceps Press-Down and the commercial-grade Muscle D Elite Plus Triceps Press both pair an adjustable seat with a pin-selected stack.
• Combos and cable add-ons. The Muscle D Excel Biceps/Triceps Combo covers both arm muscles on one selectorized frame with an adjustable seat. Lifters who already have a pulley station can get by with a commercial-grade Muscle D triceps rope or a rotating press-down bar.

Body-Solid fills out the range with Pro ClubLine and Powerline arm stations and ProDual modules that mount to a shared DGYM base frame.

Trainer's take: elbows first, then load

When I coach triceps as a certified personal trainer, the cue I repeat most is to keep the elbows still. On an overhead machine, set the seat so your elbows point forward rather than flaring out. On a press-down or seated press, keep your upper arms close to your sides and let only the forearms move.

I like to pair one overhead movement with one press-down or dip pattern in the same week, because they load the muscle from different arm positions. Work in the 8 to 15 rep range, add reps before you add weight, and rotate grips from one training block to the next. If you train at home with an existing pulley, a rope and a bar are the smallest footprint you can add; a dedicated tricep machine earns its space once you want a seat and a set path.

Tricep machine FAQ

What machine works triceps?

Overhead extension machines, seated dip or triceps press machines and cable press-downs all target the triceps. Combo machines handle triceps and biceps on the same frame.

Is the tricep press machine good?

For many lifters, yes. A seated triceps press lets you start below your bodyweight, which plain bar dips cannot do, and add load in small steps on a fixed path. It pairs well with an overhead or press-down movement.

Which grip is best for tricep pushdowns?

There is no single best grip. A straight or rotating bar keeps your palms facing down, while a rope lets your hands split apart at the bottom, so many lifters rotate both.

Do I need a full machine or just a tricep rope?

If you already have a cable station, a rope or press-down bar covers press-downs and overhead cable extensions. A dedicated machine adds a seat, a set path and its own resistance.

Want curls covered too? See our curl machines and preacher benches. Our chest and shoulder machines add pressing work that also loads the triceps, and cable accessories and attachments stocks more bars and handles for an existing pulley. For more background on strength gear, read the strength equipment buying guide.