The california press is a hybrid movement which is actually a cross between a close grip bench press and a lying triceps extension.
Tricep bar bench press.
As you widen the grip it will generally shift the stress off of the triceps and more onto the pectorals.
The most important head to target for triceps thickness is the long head.
It s a very popular assistance movement used in powerlifting circles particularly by those lifters who need to increase triceps mass and strength to bring their bench press poundages upward.
At a first glance may appear similar to the jm press but it certainly isn t.
Place a portable incline bench in front of a pushdown machine with the seat facing away from the weight stack.
For a given weight narrower grips will place more stress on the triceps.
Close grip bench presses and dips are common options but neither provide the most stimulation for the triceps.
The main differences are that with a california press you do not keep your elbows up throughout the lift and you lower the bar along a much longer hybrid path instead.
A variation of the tricep pressdown is to perform them with the use of an incline bench.
Compared to the close grip bench press the triceps are firing through a greater range of motion which makes it more challenging for the backside of the arms.
As you lower the barbell to your chest the pec muscles are highly activated especially the closer the barbell gets to your chest.
The ez bar french press hammers the long head but it s also one of the most commonly botched exercises in the gym.
The california press is a cross between a laying triceps extension and a close grip bench press.
At various stages of the bench press more or less of these muscle groups are used.
Sit in the incline bench and pull the bar over your head or have someone hand it to you.
It also improves control of the bar.
The bar attachment can either be a straight bar or a v bar.
Another modification you can make to help reduce your elbow pain during the bench press is to widen your grip.