Exercise guide
Barbell Skull Crushers
Barbell Skull Crushers are a lying triceps exercise performed by bending and straightening the elbows while holding a bar above the body. The triceps provide the main movement, while the forearms and grip stabilize the bar. The name refers to the bar path, making control especially important.
Training context
Setup cues for Barbell Skull Crushers
Use a grip that feels comfortable at the wrists and allows the elbows to remain steady. A straight bar may feel more restrictive than an EZ-bar for some lifters.
The bar does not need to touch the forehead. Your chosen bottom position should allow a controlled stretch without losing the upper-arm angle.
Technique overview
Keep the upper arms mostly still
Lie on the bench with the bar held above the chest. Bend the elbows to lower the bar toward the forehead or slightly behind it while keeping the upper arms steady. Stop at a controlled depth, then straighten the elbows. Avoid flaring the elbows suddenly or allowing the bar to drift toward the face as fatigue builds.
Treat this as an overview and use a range, pace, and setup you can control.