Skullcrusher (Barbell)

How to do it

1. Lie on a flat bench holding an EZ bar over your face with a close overhand grip and straight arms.
2. Tip your upper arms slightly back toward your head.
3. Bend your elbows to lower the bar past your forehead to behind your head.
4. Hold the bottom for a beat.
5. Extend your elbows to press the bar back up.

Key cues

• Only your forearms move
• Elbows stay the same width apart
• Lower the bar under control
• Straight arms at the top

Common mistakes

• Letting your elbows flare out
• Letting your upper arms swing back and forth
• Dropping the bar fast toward your head
• Using a grip so wide the elbows spread

Muscles worked

Primary

Triceps

Equipment

Ez bar and flat bench.

Variations

• Skullcrusher (Dumbbell)

  Dumbbell · Triceps · Isolation

References

1. StrengthLog: Lying Triceps Extension
2. BarBend: How to Do Skull Crushers