From biceps curls to hammer curls to skullcrushers and triceps pressdowns, most of the most popular arm exercises require weights. But that doesn’t mean you can’t blast your arms (and torch your abs more than you think, too) just with bodyweight.
In fact, this bodyweight triceps blast from Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., just may push your arms to their breaking point faster than a standard set of biceps curls. Samuel calls it 32-Rep Triceps Mayhem, and it can push you to your limits in your living room. “For biceps, bodyweight moves beyond pullups and chinups can be tricky,” says Samuel. “But for triceps, we have some methods of loading that can push our arms far.”
The key method you’ll use in this series is the dropset, and Samuel will have you using it multiple times. You’ll start with a challenging bodyweight skullcrusher variation, then move to a slightly easier bodyweight skullcrusher variation, but you won’t be done there, either. “Close-grip pushups are easier than skullcrushers, still attacking your triceps, but giving them some help,” says Samuel, “so we’ll shift into that move next.”
It’s a four-step mechanical-and-technique dropset that’s designed to keep pushing your arms toward the point of fatigue on slightly easier moves. “But you never lose the challenge here,” says Samuel. “At each level, you’re always working hard.”
After two brands of close-grip pushups, your tris will be smoked, but they won’t be the only muscle you’ve worked. “Your abs will get plenty of work from essentially living in a plank position,” says Samuel. “And your chest, near the end, will be helping you muscle through the pushups. Your triceps will be that dead.”
It’s a perfect way to attack your arms and abs anytime, anywhere, especially if your stuck at home. It doesn’t take that long either, says Samuel. “Do 3 sets of this, and you’ll have your arms fried in about 10 minutes.”
All you need is a bench or chair to run through this mayhem. “Really, any elevated surface will do,” says Samuel.
This vicious triceps-focused dropset has a variety of uses, says Samuel. It can easily be a quick and devastating arm pump of its own, or you can use it during a biceps-triceps workout. “It’s a scary-good arm-day finisher,” says Samuel. Or use it on chest day, after bench presses and other press work, to pummel your triceps. “There are so many ways to use this,” says Samuel, “all of which will fry your arms.”
For more tips and routines from Samuel, check out our full slate of Eb and Swole workouts. If you want to try an even more dedicated routine, consider Eb’s New Rules of Muscle program.
Source: Read Full Article