Cable Kickback
The Cable Kickback is an isolation movement that targets the triceps directly. This guide covers the setup, the execution, the mistakes worth fixing early, and how to program it.
Straightening the elbow against resistance trains the triceps, which makes up about two thirds of your upper arm. The one rule that matters is that the upper arm stays fixed — the moment the shoulder starts helping, the triceps stop being the limit.
Who it is for. Anyone building arms or pressing strength. Program it after your compound pressing.
Muscles worked
Effectively all of the work here falls on the triceps, which is what makes this such a precise way to add volume to it.
Front
Back- Triceps lateral head100%
- Triceps medial head87%
- Triceps long head63%
How to do it
- Set up with a cable and fix your upper arms in position — by your sides, overhead, or against a pad, depending on the movement.
- Brace your midsection and set your torso at an angle you can hold for the whole set.
- Take the slack out of the resistance before the first rep.
- Extend your elbows fully, moving only the forearms.
- Squeeze the triceps at full lockout for a beat.
- Return slowly under control to a full stretch at the elbow.
Breathing. Breathe out as you extend, in as you return.
Form cues that matter
- Upper arms locked in place; only the forearms travel.
- Full lockout with a squeeze on every rep.
- Control the return — do not let it snap back.
- The upper arms drifting or the shoulders pitching in to help
- Leaning into the movement with bodyweight
Common mistakes
| The mistake | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| The upper arms drifting or the shoulders pitching in to help | Reduce the weight and pin the elbows; if they move, it is no longer a triceps exercise. |
| Leaning into the movement with bodyweight | Set your torso angle at the start and keep it fixed for the set. |
| Cutting the range short at lockout | Straighten the arms completely — the long head is worked hardest at the ends of the range. |
What makes this variation different
The Cable Kickback is a specific version of this movement, and the details in its name change how it should be performed.
- A cable keeps constant tension on the muscle from the first inch to the last, including the positions where a free weight goes light. Adjusting the pulley height changes the angle of resistance, which makes it the most versatile tool in the gym.
Sets, reps and rest
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3-5 | 6-8 | 60-90 s |
| Muscle growth | 3-4 | 8-15 | 60-90 s |
| Endurance | 2-3 | 15-25 | 60-90 s |
- 6-14Weekly sets
- 2-1-1Tempo
- 60-90 sRest
How to progress
Add weight before you add reps. Work at the top of your rep range for two sessions in a row with clean technique, then put the smallest increment available on the Cable Kickback and build back up. Small, boring jumps beat big ones.
Variations and alternatives
If you do not have the equipment, or you simply want to rotate the stimulus, these 8 movements train the triceps in a similar way.
- Cable Pushdown (with Rope Attachment) — Cable
- Barbell Lying Triceps Extension — Barbell
- Band Overhead Triceps Extension — Resistance band
- Band Pushdown — Resistance band
- Barbell Decline Close Grip to Skull Press — Barbell
- Barbell JM Bench Press — Barbell
- Barbell Lying Close Grip Triceps Extension — Barbell
- Barbell Seated Overhead Triceps Extension — Barbell
Safety
Key takeaways
- Upper arms locked in place; only the forearms travel.
- Full lockout with a squeeze on every rep.
- Work in the 8-15 rep range for muscle growth, leaving a rep or two in reserve on most sets.
- Full range of motion on the Cable Kickback matters more than the weight on it.
- Progress gradually and keep technique identical as the load goes up.
Go deeper
FAQ
What muscles does the Cable Kickback work?
It works the triceps as the prime mover. The midsection also works throughout to keep you stable.
How many sets and reps should I do on the Cable Kickback?
Three to four working sets of 8-15 reps suits most people training for muscle growth, leaving one or two reps in reserve. Across all the exercises that train this muscle, 6-14 hard sets a week is a productive range.
Is the Cable Kickback good for beginners?
Yes, provided you start light enough to own the technique. Spend the first few weeks on the movement itself with a load you could do several more reps with, and add weight only once the pattern is automatic.
What can I do instead of the Cable Kickback?
Cable Pushdown (with Rope Attachment), Barbell Lying Triceps Extension and Band Overhead Triceps Extension all train the triceps in a similar way, so any of them works as a substitute when the equipment is taken or you want to rotate the stimulus.
What equipment do I need for the Cable Kickback?
This version uses a cable. The pattern matters more than the tool, though — the alternatives above cover the same movement with whatever you have available.
Track your sets, reps and progress on the Cable Kickback — free, with every exercise in the library.