TETSUBody-Up vs Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown
The Body-Up and the Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown both train the triceps as their primary muscle. The Body-Up is bodyweight-only while the Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown uses a cable. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Body-Up | Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | triceps | triceps |
| Body part | upper arms | upper arms |
| Supporting muscles | chest and shoulders | forearms |
| Equipment | bodyweight | cable |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 8 |
How each one starts
Body-Up — first steps
- Start by placing your hands on a raised surface, such as a bench or parallel bars, with your palms facing down and fingers pointing forward.
- Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground and your body straight.
Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown — first steps
- Stand facing a cable machine with a straight bar attachment at chest height.
- Grasp the bar with an overhand grip and step back to create tension in the cable.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Body-Up needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. The Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the triceps adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Body-Up better than the Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown?
Neither is universally better — both train the triceps as the primary mover. The Body-Up needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Body-Up and the Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the triceps. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Body-Up and the Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the triceps. Supporting muscles differ slightly — chest and shoulders for the Body-Up versus forearms for the Cable One Arm Tricep Pushdown.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.