Is there any difference between using a bar or a rope for tricep push downs? With the bar your palms are facing the floor and with the rope they are facing inwards. That change makes a difference with bicep curls so I’m curious if the same for triceps. And if there is should you do both or is a case of pick your favourite?
I’ve heard people say that they feel more activation on the lateral head with the bar, but with the neutral grip of the rope there’s likely more median head. I personally prefer using the rope due to the longer range of motion advantages, even though the bar feels more comfortable for me.
Typically though I’ll rotate through them both depending on which attachment is available in my gym/what I feel like doing.
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I’d say see what feels good, and switch when one gets stale.
I never liked the straight bar.
When I was younger, I preferred the V-bar. I got a great stretch and I could really press into a hard contraction.
Nowadays the rope hurts my elbows the least, so it has become my default favorite.
I don’t think you’ll see major differences. It’s not akin to going from floor press to skullcrushers, for instance.
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Grip is less of a factor than shoulder position… neutral shoulder = long head. Also single arm / joint extensions really hammer the long head