8 Tricep Stretches For Tight Muscles Relief & Safety Tips 2024

The importance of proper tricep stretches is often underestimated, particularly for those who regularly experience discomfort in the shoulder region. This discomfort often signifies weakness in the triceps. When neglected, this can impede their cooperative function with the biceps in facilitating forearm movement. 

Over time, this issue might hinder work productivity. It could also result in muscle imbalance, potentially causing further health complications.

Mastering the technique of triceps stretching is a critical component of cultivating superior strength. It offers a myriad of benefits ranging from enhanced body flexibility to effective injury prevention.

Contrary to popular belief, stretching your triceps doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. The correct guidance can be incorporated into your exercise program, allowing you to progress at your pace. 

Furthermore, we will explore the numerous benefits of stretching the triceps, along with additional safety tips for your exercise regime. The goal is to provide comprehensive knowledge that prepares you for a more effective and result-oriented exercise routine.

Best Tricep Stretches

Triceps stretches can relieve muscle tension in your shoulder area and upper arms. You can perform triceps stretches at any time or add these exercises to your pre-workout and workout routine. 

Below are simple and common ways to stretch your triceps. You can hold these positions for a few seconds then slowly return to the starting position.

Triceps Towel Stretch

The triceps towel stretch is a simple yet effective exercise targeting the tricep muscles. This helps to improve flexibility and relieve tension in the upper arms.

How to do:

1. You need to perform the tricep towel stretches standing upright. 
2. Hold a towel with both hands and raise one hand above your hand. 
3. Let the other hand stay at your lower back while using it to pull the towel downward. The upper hand will pull the towel upward.
4. Breathe deeply and release slowly while doing your triceps stretch.

Tips: 

• Avoid arching your back or leaning forward during the stretch.
• Don’t forcefully pull the towel or resistance band. Instead, focus on maintaining a gentle and controlled stretch.
• Remember to breathe deeply and continuously throughout the stretch.

Leaning Stretch

The leaning stretch exercise is a movement that primarily targets the upper body’s muscles, including the triceps. It helps improve flexibility and mobility in the triceps while enhancing the overall range of motion. It can also alleviate tightness and discomfort in this muscle group.

How to do:

1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart next to a gym bench. Take a small step back with both legs.
2. Kneel on your knees. Take a breath in and bring both elbows toward the bench. Your hands should be clasped together facing the ceiling. 
3. Bow your head and feel the stretch in your triceps. Hold the position before returning to the starting position. Exhale at the same time. 
4. Incorporate these tricep stretches^[1] into your daily routine for better shoulder mobility.

Tips: 

• Avoid leaning too far to the side, which can strain the muscles and joints.
• Breathe deeply and rhythmically throughout the entire exercise.
• Avoid shrugging or tensing your shoulders.

Horizontal Stretch

The horizontal tricep stretch is an excellent exercise to help maintain strong, flexible, and healthy triceps. This can help ensure optimal performance in various body movements and exercises.

How to do:

1. Bring your left arm across your body and set it horizontally. 
2. Use your other hand to guide the movement until you feel your arm pressed tightly to your chest. 
3. Repeat this process with both arms three to four times to enhance your body mobility.

Tips: 

• Listen to your body and go only as far as feels comfortable. 
• Keep your chest open and your shoulders relaxed throughout the stretch.
• Don’t hold your breath.

Dynamic Triceps Warm-Up

This exercise is considered a warm-up, unlike intense physical activity.^[2] It will help increase blood flow and circulation to your triceps.

How to do:

1. Stretch your hands on both sides. 
2. Swing your arms backward and bring them forward in a circular motion.

Tips: 

• Avoid using excessive force or jerking motions during the warm-up.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed throughout the exercise. 

Wrist Pull

The wrist pull exercise is also known as wrist flexor stretch. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who engage in repetitive wrist motions, such as typing.

How to do:

1. Extend your arm in front of you with the palm facing upward. 
2. Use the opposite hand to gently pull back on the fingers, stretching the wrist flexor muscles.

Tips: 

• Don’t hyperextend your wrists or strain them beyond your comfort zone.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid shrugging them up towards your ears.

Overhead Triceps Stretch

The overhead triceps stretch helps to increase the flexibility and range of motion in the triceps, reduce muscle tightness and discomfort, and enhance overall upper-body mobility.

How to do:

1. To perform the overhead triceps stretch,^[3] raise your left arm above your head, and bend your left elbow. 
2. Then, let the arm drop at the center of your upper back, and use the other hand to apply pressure to the bent elbow. This will deepen the triceps stretch. 
3. Hold on for 20 to 30 seconds, then switch sides.

Tips: 

• Use a towel or strap for assistance if you have limited flexibility. 
• Keep your body upright and avoid leaning or tilting to the side for a good posture.

Dip Stretch

How to do:

1. Foremost, you need to get a sturdy chair that will provide maximum balance.
2. Sit on the edge of the chair with your feet stretched out in front of you. Hold on to the base with your fingers pointed outward and gripping the sides.
3. Gently pull your body from the chair and slowly lower your bottom close to the ground. 
4. Hold the position briefly to feel the stretch in your triceps. 
5. Then, straighten your arms to bring your body back up to the chair. Complete for the desired sets and reps.

Tips: 

• Bend your knees and keep your feet closer to your body to make the exercise more manageable.
• Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears to maintain proper form. This will also avoid unnecessary strain on the shoulder joints.

Elbow Extensor Triceps Stretch

The elbow extensor stretch is a great way to work your anconeus muscle. This is the small muscle located at your elbow that attaches to your humerus and ulna. 

Alongside being engaged during triceps extension, it also helps to provide stability and support. Regularly performing the elbow extensor stretch is great for those who have poor shoulder mobility.

How to do:

1. Stand in front of a plyo box. It should be set up at around mid-thigh height. 
2. While keeping your legs straight, hinge down toward the box.
3. Place both elbows on the box. Ensure they are directly under your shoulders with your palms facing down.
4. Lean slightly forward while keeping a neutral back position.
5. Briefly hold the stretch and return to the starting position.

Tips: 

• Keep your shoulders and neck relaxed throughout the stretch. Ensure your head is facing down toward the plyo box. 
• Engage your core muscles to maintain stability and support in your lower back.
• As you deepen the stretch, exhale while you focus on relaxing any tricep tension.

Safety Tips For Tricep Stretch

Your knowledge of how to stretch your triceps is incomplete if you lack the essential safety tips. The safety tips below will help you to achieve better stretching results.

• Warm-up: When performing exercises, incorporate proper warm-ups. Prepare your body by engaging in light cardiovascular exercises or dynamic movements. This will help warm your muscles and improve blood flow before stretching your triceps. You can swing your arm around or dance to your favorite song for a few minutes. You may also take a warm shower to prepare your body for what lies ahead.
• Build up first: It will be disastrous to jump into highly intense exercises without building up. After warming up your body, take your workouts slowly and gradually. You should also avoid stretching beyond your comfort level so you don’t sustain injury.
• Hold the right postures: Triceps stretch requires proper body posture. You must maintain a good standing, sitting, or moving posture. Keep your shoulder muscles relaxed, spine aligned, and core engaged. This will provide adequate balance while exercising and also provide maximum flexibility.
• Focus on the stretch: You should focus on the part of your body that’s being stretched to create an equilibrium with the tight muscles—also, endeavor to control your stretch to avoid bouncing, which could lead to head injury.
• Balance both sides: Triceps stretching requires proper balance and symmetry. This will help provide stability and balance during weight-lifting.^[4] Neglecting one side can also lead to muscle imbalances and potential issues. You should also listen to your body and ease off the stretch of any overburdened body part.
• Practice often: You need to schedule a consistent stretch practice for better results. However, ensure to keep it at your pace. You may also achieve some weight loss goals while at it. However, you will get better results with the best weight-loss diets.

Function Of The Triceps Muscle

The triceps, also known as the triceps brachii, is a large muscle situated at the back of the upper arm. In terms of appearance, it looks like a big horseshoe that extends towards the elbow.

When the elbow is slightly flexed at rest, the biceps brachii is the predominant muscle group, overpowering the triceps. The tricep’s primary function^[5] is to extend the forearm at the elbow joint. This is in direct opposition to the biceps brachii muscle.

The triceps are composed of three separate muscle heads.^[6] These are the long head, lateral head, and medial head.

Each head has a slightly different origin but inserts at the same place on the elbow. When learning how to stretch the triceps, it’s useful to understand what each head does during different movements. 

Long Head

The long tricep head^[7] makes up most of the triceps size. It is biarticular, meaning it crosses two joints and influences movement at both.

It’s heavily involved in elbow extension. As it crosses the shoulder joint, it’s also responsible for some shoulder movements. These include shoulder adduction, extension, and stabilization. 

Overhead movements like chin-ups and lat pulldowns will involve the long head.

Lateral Head

The lateral tricep head is mainly responsible for the horseshoe-like appearance on the side of the arm. Just like the medial tricep head, its sole function is to extend the elbow 

Unlike the medial head, it’s only engaged when resistance is felt. This makes it the strongest elbow extensor out of the three heads. 

Medial Head

The medial tricep head is situated in the center of the tricep. Like the lateral head, its primary function is to extend the elbow. A unique feature of the medial triceps brachii^[8] head is that it’s the only head involved at rest that can contract independently. 

Benefits Of The Triceps Stretch 

Stretching your upper arm muscles provides numerous benefits. It assists in elongating the muscle, mitigating the risk of sore or constricted triceps. 

Triceps stretches also foster optimal blood flow throughout your body helping to increase the range of motion of the triceps muscles. Below are other benefits of triceps stretches you should know.

Improves Functional Activity

Research has shown that arm impairment^[9] can lead to a high dysfunction rate. Thus, victims of severe injury cases require special attention from a medical therapist. This may affect their ability to lift items or perform tasks that require pushing and pulling. 

Stretching your triceps can enhance the efficiency of these movements.

Reduced Risk of Injury

If the triceps are not subjected to regular exercise, it exposes the arm to injury. Thus, stretches can reduce the stress placed on other joints and muscles. 

Stretching the muscle may reduce the risk of sustaining injuries that are associated with the overuse of muscles. Some of these include shoulder impingement or tendonitis.

Increased Flexibility

Inactivity for a long time can cause triceps muscle damage, which could be severe if not treated with the utmost attention. Be consistent with stretching if you engage in sports activities such as swimming and weightlifting, which involve your elbow joint movement. 

You need to keep your arm flexible for as long as possible.

Improve Posture

Tight triceps can contribute to poor posture, particularly rounded shoulders, and a forward head position. Triceps stretch will help reduce tension in your arm muscles and promote better alignment.

How To Stretch Triceps?

To stretch the triceps effectively, you need to carry out elbow flexion. This is the opposite of elbow extension which is the main function that the triceps perform. 

When you contract your triceps, your biceps brachii stretch. The opposite is true when you contract your biceps. Therefore, to stretch your triceps you need to flex your elbow and hold the position.

As we’ve mentioned above, the triceps brachii consist of three muscle heads. The long head crosses the shoulder, meaning certain shoulder movements such as the overhead triceps stretch will also work. 

Alongside static stretches, dynamic movements that bring your triceps through a full range of motion also work.

Perform a combination of static stretching, holding the position, along with dynamic stretching, short holds in the stretched position. 

The best time to stretch your triceps with static stretches is after training when your muscles are warm. Perform dynamic stretches before a session as part of a warm-up.

Conclusion

In conclusion, triceps stretching is useful and necessary for upper body stability and strength. This is commonly overlooked, especially when arm or shoulder pain indicates weak triceps. Neglecting this may hinder biceps-triceps cooperation, reducing productivity and possibly causing muscular imbalance and health problems.  

Triceps stretching has long-term advantages. Regular practice improves functional activity, flexibility, injury risk, and posture. Inactivity can injure muscles, so athletes and others who move their elbows frequently must stretch regularly.

Finally, triceps stretching improves health and prevents injuries. Thus, it can help you build a more effective, complete, and self-paced exercise regimen. These strategies improve your health and quality of life.