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Best Beginner Triceps Workouts With Garage Gym

About

This workout utilizes readily available equipment commonly found in a garage gym, such as barbells, dumbbells, benches, and pull-up bars.

The exercises are tailored for beginners, designed with simplicity and safety in mind while offering significant challenge and progression opportunities.

Targeting the triceps, these movements engage the muscles responsible for elbow extension and pushing actions, including activities like push-ups and extensions.

The recommended weights and repetitions are adjusted for beginners with under a year of experience, ensuring optimal learning while maintaining intensity.

The 9 Best Beginner Triceps Exercises with Garage Gym

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Dip

    Dip demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,690,853
    Triceps Strength
    92 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dip (Parallel) Bar
    Dip (Parallel) Bar

    Dips are a bodyweight exercise that primarily targets the triceps. You lift and lower your body using your arms while keeping your core engaged.

    How to do it

    1. Hold onto the dip bars with straight arms and slightly bent elbows.
    2. Suspended above the ground, brace your core and keep your back straight.
    3. Lean your body forward slightly and pull your elbows down to lower yourself.
    4. Keep your elbows close to your sides until they reach a 90-degree angle.
    5. Push back up to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
  • 2. Dumbbell Skullcrusher

    Dumbbell Skullcrusher demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    5,879,914
    Triceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Skullcrusher is a great exercise for strengthening your triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both arms work equally and adds a challenge to your stability.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on your back on a bench with your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the floor.
    2. Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and hips.
    3. Hold dumbbells above your shoulders with palms facing each other and elbows slightly bent.
    4. Engage your core and lower the dumbbells behind your head by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stable.
    5. When the dumbbells are just above your forehead, exhale and lift them back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 3. Skullcrusher

    Skullcrusher demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,594,390
    Triceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    Skullcrushers are a triceps exercise performed while lying on a bench. This movement focuses on isolating the triceps and can be done with an EZ-Bar for better grip and stability.

    How to do it

    1. Lie back on a bench, keeping your shoulder blades squeezed and your heels flat on the ground.
    2. Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and buttocks at all times.
    3. Hold the EZ-Bar above your shoulders with hands shoulder-width apart.
    4. Keep your upper arms still and bend your elbows to lower the bar just above your forehead.
    5. Exhale as you extend your arms to lift the bar back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 4. Seated Tricep Press

    Seated Tricep Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    4,537,026
    Triceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Seated Tricep Press is an exercise that strengthens your triceps by using a dumbbell. It helps improve your range of motion by pressing the weight overhead, adding variety to your workouts.

    How to do it

    1. Sit upright on a bench with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Hold a dumbbell vertically at chest height with palms facing up.
    3. Brace your core and press the dumbbell overhead, keeping elbows forward.
    4. Lower the dumbbell behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps.
    5. Lift the dumbbell back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 5. Bench Dip

    Bench Dip demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    3,752,525
    Triceps Strength
    93 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Bench Dip is a simple bodyweight exercise that mainly works your triceps. It’s easier than regular dips because your feet stay on the ground, making it perfect for beginners to build strength towards full dips.

    How to do it

    1. Sit on a bench with your hands next to your hips, palms down.
    2. Move your body forward, lowering your hips off the bench while keeping your feet on the ground.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your hips until your upper arms are parallel to the ground, keeping your chest up.
    4. Push back up by extending your elbows to return to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 6. Dumbbell Kickbacks

    Dumbbell Kickbacks demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    4,145,130
    Triceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    Dumbbell Kickbacks are a great exercise for beginners to strengthen the triceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure you work each arm evenly. This exercise can also be adjusted for more challenge as you progress.

    How to do it

    1. Stand with feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and hinge forward at your hips until your torso is at a 45-degree angle, keeping your back straight.
    3. Bend your elbows and position your arms behind you, so dumbbells are under your elbows.
    4. Push the dumbbells back by straightening your arms, squeezing your triceps at the end of the movement.
    5. Pause briefly, then slowly return to the starting position while keeping tension in your triceps.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 7. Smith Machine Close-Grip Bench Press

    Smith Machine Close-Grip Bench Press demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    281,862
    Triceps Strength
    64 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Smith Machine Close-Grip Bench Press is a safe way to strengthen your triceps, chest, and shoulders. This exercise focuses on your triceps, helping to build arm strength and muscle definition, making it great for beginners and experienced lifters alike.

    How to do it

    1. Lie on a bench and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Keep your heels flat on the floor.
    2. Ensure the bench touches your head, shoulders, and butt throughout the exercise.
    3. Position the Smith Machine bar over your lower chest and grip it with your hands directly above your shoulders.
    4. Brace your core, unhook the bar, and lower it to your chest by bending your elbows.
    5. Gently touch your chest with the bar, then exhale and push it back to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 8. Single Arm Dumbbell Tricep Extension

    Single Arm Dumbbell Tricep Extension demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    1,533,118
    Triceps Strength
    93 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Single Arm Dumbbell Tricep Extension is an exercise that focuses on your triceps using only one arm. This helps improve strength balance between both sides while challenging your stability.

    How to do it

    1. Sit on a bench with a strong core.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in your left hand with your palm facing forward, lifting it over your left shoulder.
    3. Keep your upper arm straight up and bend your elbow to lower the dumbbell behind your head.
    4. Lower until your forearm touches your bicep, then lift it back to the starting position.
    5. Repeat on the opposite side with your right arm.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 9. Standing Dumbbell Tricep Extension

    Standing Dumbbell Tricep Extension demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    231,741
    Triceps Strength
    86 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Standing Dumbbell Tricep Extension is an exercise that strengthens your triceps while standing, adding a bit of instability to the movement. This variation helps improve overall strength and is great for beginners wanting to enhance their arm strength.

    How to do it

    1. Hold the head of a dumbbell with both hands, palms facing each other.
    2. Stand with feet hip-width apart and slightly bend your knees.
    3. Raise the dumbbell behind your head, with palms facing up.
    4. Engage your core and keep your back straight.
    5. Extend your arms to lift the dumbbell overhead, keeping your wrists straight.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top.
    7. Slowly lower the dumbbell back behind your head, maintaining tension in your triceps.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts with Garage Gym

Alternative Beginner Triceps Workouts

Alternative Triceps Workouts with Garage Gym