The Machine Cable V Bar Push Downs is a beginner-friendly machine strength exercise that targets the triceps. Here's how to do it right — and what to stop doing.
Primary musclesTriceps
Secondary muscles—
EquipmentMachine
LevelBeginner
TypeStrength
3D demo in the EGON app
01 Execution
How to do the Machine Cable V Bar Push Downs
Attach a V-bar to a high cable pulley and stand facing the machine with feet hip-width apart.
Grip the V-bar with both hands, palms angled inward and slightly down.
Tuck your elbows in close to your sides and pull the bar down to chest height as the start.
Brace your core and press the bar down by extending your elbows, keeping them pinned.
Lock the arms out fully at the bottom with a brief squeeze of the triceps.
Let the bar travel slowly back up to chest height under control before the next rep.
02 The payoff
Why it earns its spot
Builds triceps size across all three heads with a clean isolation pattern.
Strengthens elbow extension that supports every pressing variation.
Adds high-rep volume to arm work without joint stress.
03 Don't do this
Common mistakes
Letting the elbows drift forward and away from the ribs, which turns it into a press.
Leaning the torso heavily over the bar to use bodyweight instead of triceps strength.
Cutting the lockout short instead of fully extending the arms at the bottom.
Snapping the bar back to the start and skipping the controlled return.
EGON Put it on record
Track it in EGON.
Log every set of the Machine Cable V Bar Push Downs, get your PRs detected automatically, earn aura for the work — and climb five leagues of statues, from Stone to Ego.
