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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:
- Position: Lie flat on a bench with your feet firmly on the floor.
- 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:
- Lowering: Keeping your upper arms stationary, bend at the elbows to slowly lower the dumbbells towards the sides of your head.
- Stretch: Lower the weights until your forearms are just past parallel to the floor, feeling a stretch in your triceps.
- 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