Close-Grip Barbell Skull Crusher

Body region

• Arms

Equipment

• Barbell or EZ Bar
• Flat Bench

Technique

1. Lie on a flat bench and hold the bar overhand with the hands closer than shoulder width.
2. Press it up so your arms are straight above your shoulders.
3. Bend only at the elbows and lower the bar toward your forehead.
4. Stop when the forearms are about parallel to the floor.
5. Straighten your arms to press the bar back up.

Cues

• Keep the elbows tucked in line with the hands, not flared.
• Keep the upper arms still and tilted slightly back.
• Keep the wrists straight; an EZ bar is easier on them.

Common mistakes

• Gripping so narrow that the wrists bend and the elbows flare.
• Moving the upper arms so it turns into a close-grip press.
• Lowering fast with the bar over your face.

Variations

• Decline Barbell Triceps Extension
• Decline Close-Grip Skull Crusher
• Decline EZ-Bar Triceps Extension
• Incline EZ-Bar Triceps Extension
• EZ-Bar Skull Crusher
• Incline Barbell Triceps Extension
• Smith Machine Incline Triceps Extension
• Reverse-Grip Skull Crusher

Alternatives

• Dumbbell Skull Crusher
• Triceps Pushdown
• JM Press