Lying Barbell Triceps Extension — start position
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Lying Barbell Triceps Extension — end position
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Arms / Intermediate / Isolation (single joint)

Lying Barbell Triceps Extension

A flat-bench barbell extension, also called a skull crusher, that isolates the triceps.

At a glance

Primary
Triceps
Secondary
Forearms & grip
Equipment
Barbell, Bench
Movement pattern
Elbow extension
Level
Intermediate
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint)

Loads the elbow. Use a load you can control and skip it if it causes pain.

How to do it

  1. Lie on a flat bench holding a barbell or EZ bar with a narrow overhand grip.
  2. Press the bar up over your shoulders with arms straight.
  3. Keeping the upper arms still, bend the elbows to lower the bar toward your forehead.
  4. Extend the elbows to return to the start.

Tips

  • Keep the elbows pointed at the ceiling.
  • Lower under control.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps — primary (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Triceps
  • Secondary: Forearms & grip

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.