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Exercise Guide

How to do dumbbell lying triceps extension

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The dumbbell lying triceps extension, often called skull crushers, is a premier movement for building triceps mass and strength. By using dumbbells, you ensure that both arms work independently, which helps to correct strength imbalances. This exercise allows for a deep stretch at the bottom and a powerful contraction at the top, targeting all three heads of the triceps muscle effectively.

Stats

DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Dumbbell, Bench
TARGET MUSCLES
Triceps

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Position: Lie flat on a bench with your feet firmly on the floor.
  2. Grip: Hold a dumbbell in each hand and press them up so they are directly above your chest. Your palms should be facing each other (neutral grip).

The Movement:

  1. Lowering: Keeping your upper arms stationary, bend at the elbows to slowly lower the dumbbells towards the sides of your head.
  2. Stretch: Lower the weights until your forearms are just past parallel to the floor, feeling a stretch in your triceps.
  3. Extension: Exhale and press the dumbbells back to the starting position by extending your elbows. Squeeze your triceps at the top.

Tips:

  • This exercise is often called a "skull crusher," so control is crucial. Don't let the weights drop.
  • Keep your elbows from flaring out too much to maximize triceps engagement.
  • Only your forearms should be moving; your shoulders and upper arms should remain still.

Common mistakes: Allowing the elbows to drift apart, hitting the forehead with the weights, and moving the upper arm.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable one arm tricep pushdown

Triceps
Cable

cable pushdown(with rope)

Triceps
Cable

cable one arm side triceps pushdown

Triceps
Bench

barbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable bent overhead tricep extension

Triceps
Cable

cable overhead triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell incline two arm triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable lying triceps extension(low)

Triceps
Cable

cable reverse grip triceps pushdown(sz-bar)

Triceps
Bench

barbell seated overhead triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm tricep extension

Triceps
Cable

cable lying triceps extension

Triceps
Bench

barbell lying triceps extension

Triceps
Triceps Extension Machine

machine triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable triceps pushdown(SZ bar)

Triceps
Decline Bench

ez-barbell decline triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm kickback

Triceps
Bench

dumbbell triceps kickback

Triceps
Dip Bar

weighted triceps dips

TricepsChest+1
None

dips on chair

TricepsChest+1
Barbell

barbell incline close grip bench press

TricepsFront Shoulder+1
None

kneeling triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell lying triceps extension

Triceps
Ez Barbell

ez-barbell incline triceps extension

Triceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated triceps extension

Triceps
Cable

cable triceps pushdown(v-bar)

Triceps
Smith Machine

smit-machine close grip bench press

TricepsChest+1
Bench

barbell close grip bench press

TricepsChest+1