EXERCISE GUIDE

Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension

The Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension is a beginner dumbbell overhead triceps extension that primarily trains the triceps. It is useful for training the triceps in an overhead position with the elbows flexing and extending.

Primary muscles
triceps
Secondary muscles
None
Equipment
dumbbell
Difficulty
beginner

TARGET AREA

Muscles worked

Primary muscles

triceps

Secondary muscles

None

THE MOVEMENT

How to perform

  1. Hold the dumbbell overhead with both hands and keep the upper arms close to the head.
  2. Brace the torso so the ribs stay controlled.
  3. Bend the elbows to lower the dumbbell behind the head into a comfortable stretch.
  4. Extend the elbows to return to the overhead start.

IRONYOU / CORE

Core cues

  • Keep the upper arms as steady as your shoulder mobility allows.
  • Brace the torso so the ribcage does not flare as the load goes behind the head.
  • Use a controlled stretch at the bottom rather than forcing extra range.

STAY SHARP

Common mistakes

  • Letting the elbows flare and move excessively.
  • Arching the lower back to create room for the weight.
  • Dropping too quickly into the stretched position.

YOUR PROGRESS

Your strength

Use your best set to calculate your current IronYou rank and see what comes next.

STEP 1 OF 3

What are we ranking?

Search all 127 exercises or jump into a popular lift.

127 exercises
All exercisesTap one to continue

IRONYOU RANK SYSTEM

Standards

Published reference points from the production IronYou rank system.

IronYou has 13 strength ranks: Copper I–III → Silver I–III → Gold I–III → Titanium I–III → IRON. IRON is the highest IronYou rank. The public standards tables show the estimated 1RM required to enter Silver I, Gold I, Titanium I, and IRON. Standards vary by sex and bodyweight.

Logged load: full weight of one dumbbell held with both hands. Public value: one-dumbbell total load.

Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension Strength Standards — Male

Male

Published estimated 1RM thresholds by bodyweight. Load is recorded as one-dumbbell total load.

Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension estimated 1RM strength standards by bodyweight and IronYou rank — Male.
Bodyweight (kg)Silver IGold ITitanium IIRON
50 kg15.1 kg20 kg24.9 kg35.1 kg
60 kg16.7 kg22.1 kg27.6 kg38.8 kg
70 kg18.2 kg24.1 kg30 kg42.3 kg
80 kg19.5 kg25.8 kg32.2 kg45.4 kg
90 kg20.7 kg27.4 kg34.2 kg48.2 kg
100 kg21.8 kg28.9 kg36 kg50.7 kg
110 kg22.8 kg30.2 kg37.6 kg53 kg
120 kg23.7 kg31.4 kg39 kg55 kg

Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension Strength Standards — Female

Female

Published estimated 1RM thresholds by bodyweight. Load is recorded as one-dumbbell total load.

Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension estimated 1RM strength standards by bodyweight and IronYou rank — Female.
Bodyweight (kg)Silver IGold ITitanium IIRON
40 kg6.7 kg8.9 kg11.1 kg15.6 kg
50 kg8.9 kg11.8 kg14.7 kg20.8 kg
60 kg10.3 kg13.7 kg17 kg24 kg
70 kg11.2 kg14.8 kg18.5 kg26 kg
80 kg11.7 kg15.6 kg19.4 kg27.3 kg
90 kg12.1 kg16 kg19.9 kg28.1 kg
100 kg12.3 kg16.3 kg20.3 kg28.6 kg
  • Values are estimated 1RM thresholds required to enter the named IronYou major rank tier.
  • Standards are derived from the production IronYou Rank V1 model.

KEEP EXPLORING

Variations

  • Related variations: Single Arm Cable Overhead Triceps Extension, Cable Overhead Triceps Extension, and Single Arm Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension.
  • Choose the version that matches your equipment, joint comfort, and the movement you can repeat consistently.

EARLY ACCESS

Track Overhead Dumbbell Triceps Extension in IronYou.

Keep your last session, progress and next target with you when you train.