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Skull crusher

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Muscles worked

High load
Triceps · Long head

Primary muscles

How to do it

Lie on a bench with the bar over the chest and the upper arms angled back slightly rather than straight up. Bend the elbows to lower the bar behind the forehead, then extend back without letting the upper arms drift. Keep the elbows from flaring and go lighter than you think — this movement is hard on the elbows when it is rushed or overloaded.

Form cues

  • Lower behind the forehead
  • Upper arms angled back slightly

Safety

Talk to a professional before this exercise if you have any of the following:

ElbowWrist

This is general exercise reference, not medical advice. Stop and consult a qualified professional if an exercise causes pain, and never work through joint pain.