Skullcrusher question

[Dat.Boi]

Anyway i was in the gym doing skullcrushers on incline after finishing my sets i walk over and start talking to this guy who goes to me your doing skullcrushers COMPLETELY wrong writing me off i asked him why and he proceeded to explain how decline would be much better because of the range of motion not knowing if this was true or not i just said err thanks.. then bailed.  Is incline skullcrushers not good? are decline or flat skull crushers better or not for your triceps ?

[pumpster]

You should try each version and then decide for yourself which is better, but overall..

Decline is best for two reasons: (1) the angle hits the muscle better, and (2) declines hurt the elbows the least. Flat and decline don't hit the muscle as well, do hit the elbows more.

BTW you should be doing extensions to behind the head, not skulls. Lower well behind the head and below the bench, getting a bull stretch. More effective as well as less dangerous since you can't drop the weight on your forehead.

[Tombo]

it all depends on how heavy you want to put the weight, not matter what bones and tendons will take some of the load - if you're worried about brittle bones and weak tendons, then im hoping the weight you're throwing up with incline skullcrushers isn't heavy enough to do any damage. form ftw as well.

[Overload]

You should try each version and then decide for yourself which is better, but overall..

BTW you should be doing extensions to behind the head, not skulls. More effective as well as less dangerous.

I concur...

i haven't done a skull(elbow) crusher in years and my tris are one of my best features.

i prefer DB behind the head extensions...two hands on one DB. these have never bothered my elbows and they gave me great results.

 

[texasRUSH]

prefer DB behind the head extensions...two hands on one DB. these have never bothered my elbows and they gave me great results.

really? they better for cutting them up? i don't see that being a mass building exercise but you never know!

[Overload]

really? they better for cutting them up? i don't see that being a mass building exercise but you never know!

Cutting up is diet related...

they are a mass builder , i have used a 110 DB for these. they are an extension movement just like a skull crusher, just at a different angle.

 

[texasRUSH]

sweet jesus! 110lbs? 

[JPM]

Skullcrushers are partial movements.This exercise is not for everyone, though a good amount of weight can be used after awhile.  Just my view, there tends to be too much prolonged tension on the elbows/joints with what ever style of skullcrusher you are doing.  If it would be important for you to do a full range of motion, than try triceps extensions to behind the head, as The Pumpster suggested. Full Tricep extensions are best done standing or sitting. BB, DB's,EZ bar, cables, manuel resistence, etc. In any version, some people will use a curl grip for a different feel to the exercise. Some even a tricep bar.

What version (incline, decline or flat) of SC's is better depends on you and the results you get, without discomfort.  And as was suggested before, give each style a fair try. Good Luck.

[Overload]

sweet jesus! 110lbs? 

remember it's two hands on one DB...it is my favorite tricep movement, i do them after close grip bench.

 

[texasRUSH]

then i'm thinking of a different exercise...because for a second there you scared the piss outta me 

[pumpster]

really? they better for cutting them up? i don't see that being a mass building exercise but you never know!

IMO any kind of extension movement to behind the head, lying or seated, are the best bulk builder, better even than close-grips. Seated extensions are Coleman's fave, as were standing extensions for Oliva, but those hurt the elbows of some and may have contributed to Coleman's elbow problems.

Try the different versions-seated with back leaning against a pad, & different angles of incline and decline, and see which works best while stressing the elbows the least. The least stressful in general IMO without doubt is decline extensions. Another good one is bent-over extensions using the overhead lat pulley, and lying extensions using a low pulley, both using a rope attachment.

The grip used will also affect muscle and joint stress. Try two-hands around the end of one dumbbell, E-Z curl or hammer-grip bars.

Warmups: Better to do a non-extension exercise first, like bench dips, dips, pushdowns or close-grip benches, to warm up the elbows. Also, keep the reps in the moderate 8-15 range, which seems to work the tris better while taking stress off the joints.

[Overload]

then i'm thinking of a different exercise...because for a second there you scared the piss outta me 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?Real_New=%3C%3D+7&start=30&Name=&MainMuscle=Triceps&Equip=&Isolation=&order=Name

top of the page, i use the chair normally used for overhead DB press.

 

[texasRUSH]

i had something in mind like a a kickback but over and behind your head kinda situation...i've done them before...til i knocked myself pretty good with a 60 lol 

[Overload]

i had something in mind like a a kickback but over and behind your head kinda situation...i've done them before...til i knocked myself pretty good with a 60 lol 

Hahaha...yeah i've hit myself a few times as well.

 

[pumpster]

The only problem with that example is that she doesn't have her back braced against anything.

Bracing the back as Coleman does takes a lot of pressure off the lower back and as importantly, it changes the angle and can make the exercise more effective and less harsh on the elbows.

[texasRUSH]

i'd hafta do it in a chair or raise up the back of an adjustable bench.

[KAM]

man i love all those movements(behind the head extensions and skull crushers) all great for mass.  but my new training partner has elbow pain with those so all we to is cables (regular push downs and over head)  and my tri's hate me for it i can see them getting small every time we train them

[pumpster]

Elbow problems are most common from lying flat extensions and the seated versions.

Once he gets his elbows better use decline lying extensions or bent over lat pulley extensions. Neither one hurts the elbows as much and are just as good or in fact better for size.