Skull Crusher

Primary muscle group
Triceps
Equipment
Barbell
Movement type
Isolation
Where
Gym

How to do Skull Crusher

Setup

Lie flat on a bench with feet planted on the floor. Hold a barbell with a shoulder-width grip, arms extended straight above your chest.

How to do it

  1. Keep your upper arms completely still and perpendicular to the floor throughout the movement
  2. Lower the bar in a controlled arc toward your forehead by bending only at the elbows
  3. Stop when your forearms are just past parallel to the floor
  4. Press the bar back up by extending your elbows until arms are straight
  5. Maintain tension in your triceps at the top without locking out aggressively

Watch out for

  • Allowing the elbows to flare out to the sides instead of keeping them tucked and stationary
  • Moving the upper arms backward as you lower the weight, turning it into a pullover motion
  • Bouncing the bar off the forehead or using momentum instead of controlled movement

Learn more on ExRx.net →

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