Exercise guide · Beginner · Compound

Dumbbells Seated Triceps Extension with Calm: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The dumbbells seated triceps extension is an isolation exercise targeting the triceps, performed while seated with a dumbbell held overhead. It is effective for building triceps strength and size.

Primary muscles
Triceps
Secondary muscles
Shoulders
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level · type
Beginner · Compound
Demonstration of the dumbbells seated triceps extension with calm
Front view: muscles worked by the dumbbells seated triceps extension with calm. Primary: triceps. Secondary: shoulders.
Back view: muscles worked by the dumbbells seated triceps extension with calm. Primary: triceps. Secondary: shoulders.
Primary Secondary

How to do the dumbbells seated triceps extension with calm

  1. Step 1: Sit on a bench with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
  2. Step 2: calm variation Hold a dumbbell in both hands with an overhand grip, and raise it above your head.
  3. Step 3: Bend your elbows and lower the dumbbell behind your head, keeping your upper arms close to your ears.
  4. Step 4: Extend your arms and raise the dumbbell back to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the dumbbells seated triceps extension with calm by training goal
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.

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