Which attachment to use for tricep pressdown?

[Warblade]

Are there serious differences between the different handle attachments used for the tricep pressdown? They got the rope, flat bar and angled bar. What are the differences?

I see most people using the rope, and that's what's usually on there, so I just use that. I don't even know if I'm using the rope properly. My hands come together when I do them. Is that bad?
With the angled bar and flat bar you can't bring your hands together, so, I just assumed it might be a bad thing to bring your hands together.

 

[gymtime]

Different handles = different grip postions

There are not huge differences among the different pressdown bars/ropes, especially if you are new to lifting. Unless you're trying to specifically isolate the inside or outside head of the tri, use whicever one is most comfortable. But remember to switch it up now and then.

Also if you are new to lifting, use a bar instead of the rope. Ropes can be awkward and inefficient if you don't use them properly and many lifters don't.

 

[louden_swain]

Use the attachment that will allow you to use the most weight and is comfortable on your wrists. I believe this is the standard V shaped attachment.

 

[Warblade]

Different handles = different grip postions

There are not huge differences among the different pressdown bars/ropes, especially if you are new to lifting. Unless you're trying to specifically isolate the inside or outside head of the tri, use whicever one is most comfortable. But remember to switch it up now and then.

Also if you are new to lifting, use a bar instead of the rope. Ropes can be awkward and inefficient if you don't use them properly and many lifters don't.

Thanks for the replies guys.

So, what is the proper way to use the rope?

 

[bignate73]

to be honest the rope itself isnt built correctly for an actual neutral grip (hammer curl grip). the rope is too short. what you want to do is slide one rope so the clip is at one end of the rope, and do the same with another rope. clip both ropes on the cable and NOW you have a good rope. its long enough to allow the rope to be pulled with a neutral grip to your sides. if you can use the rope and pull down to your sides, chances are you are pulling down AND out, and maybe rolling out your wrist(plus its hard to keep your shoulders from rolling forward too much). with 2 ropes you move very robotic-like. straight up, straight down, shoulders neutral and all tricep.

 

[trial0r]

i guess im alone in this but i like the flat bar the best. everything else hurts my elbow.

 

[b fold the truth]

Find which ones work the best for you...or use a different one every week.

B True

 

[bignate73]

im a traditionalist. i hate the rope. ill use a straight bar and press down. but my favorite is a nice heavy dbell overhead. nothing hurts me more.

 

[dragonmona]

( what you want to do is slide one rope so the clip is at one end of the rope, and do the same with another rope. clip both ropes on the cable and NOW you have a good rope. its long enough to allow the rope to be pulled with a neutral grip to your sides.

with 2 ropes you move very robotic-like. straight up, straight down, shoulders neutral and all tricep.

Hhhmmm...this sounds much more effective than the one rope style that I have been using!! I am going to try it!!

 

[Vortexx]

When using a straight bar, you can choose a short pressdown bar or use a long pulldown bar.

I feel that with the long bar i can use more weight because the short bar swings more up and down caused by power imbalance or difference in neural timing activation between left and right triceps. The inertia of the long bar keeps you focussing on just pressing the weight rather than keeping the bar straight.

However balancing iisues also can improve CNS , so I use the long bar on a low reps day and the short when i do higher reps.