Exercise guide · Beginner · Compound
Dumbbell Kickback: How to Do It & Muscles Worked
The dumbbell kickback is an isolation exercise targeting the triceps. It involves extending the arm backward while keeping the upper arm stationary, effectively working the triceps and engaging the shoulders as secondary muscles.
How to do the dumbbell kickback
- Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand.
- Step 2: Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
- Step 3: Bring your upper arms close to your sides, with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Step 4: Extend your arms straight back, squeezing your triceps at the top of the movement.
- Step 5: Pause for a moment, then slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
- Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets, reps and programming
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 | 3–6 | 3–5 min | 1–3 reps in reserve |
| Muscle growth | 3–4 | 6–12 | 2–3 min | 1–2 reps in reserve |
| Muscular endurance | 2–3 | 12–20 | 1–2 min | 1–3 reps in reserve |
Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.
Dumbbell Kickback alternatives
More exercises that train the triceps as their main target:
-
Assisted Standing Triceps Extension (With Towel)
Triceps · Assisted · Beginner compound -
Assisted Triceps Dip (Kneeling)
Triceps · Leverage Machine · Beginner compound -
Band Side Triceps Extension
Triceps · Band · Beginner compound -
Bench Dip (Knees Bent)
Triceps · Body Weight · Beginner compound -
Bench Dip on Floor
Triceps · Body Weight · Beginner compound -
Body-Up
Triceps · Body Weight · Beginner compound -
Cable Concentration Extension (On Knee)
Triceps · Cable · Beginner compound -
Cable Kickback
Triceps · Cable · Beginner compound
More triceps exercises
-
Cable Triceps Pushdown
Triceps · Cable · Beginner compound -
Band Close-Grip Push-Up
Triceps · Band · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Close-Grip Bench Press
Triceps · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Decline Close Grip to Skull Press
Triceps · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Incline Close Grip Bench Press
Triceps · Barbell · Intermediate compound -
Barbell Incline Reverse-Grip Press
Triceps · Barbell · Intermediate compound
Sources
- American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
- Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
- Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
- Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.
Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.
This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.