JM Press

The JM press is a hybrid between a close-grip bench press and a skull crusher, where the bar is lowered not to the chest or forehead but toward the base of the neck and upper chest with the elbows staying tucked, then pressed back up using mostly triceps drive. Lie on a bench and lower the bar under control toward your neck, keeping your elbows pointed forward rather than flared, then press it back to lockout. The shortened range of motion compared to a full skull crusher lets you handle more weight while keeping tension heavily on the triceps.

1. Lie on a bench holding the bar with a close, shoulder-width grip
2. Lower the bar under control toward the base of your neck, elbows tucked and pointed forward
3. Press the bar back up to lockout, driving mostly with the triceps

• Flaring the elbows out to the sides instead of keeping them tucked and forward
• Lowering the bar too far, turning it into an unsafe neck-level skull crusher

• EZ-bar version for a more comfortable wrist angle
• Dumbbell JM press performed one arm at a time for unilateral work