Skull Crusher

Technique

Lie on a bench and hold a barbell or dumbbells over your chest. Keeping your upper arms vertical, bend your elbows to lower the weight toward your forehead. Extend back up to the starting position. Keep your upper arms perpendicular to the floor throughout.

Steps

1. Lie on the bench with the bar held above your chest
2. Position your upper arms perpendicular to the floor
3. Bend your elbows to lower the bar toward your forehead
4. Extend your elbows to return the bar to the starting position

Common mistakes

• Letting the upper arms drift away from vertical
• Flaring the elbows excessively
• Lowering the bar too quickly toward the forehead
• Turning the movement into a pullover

Variations

• EZ-bar skull crusher
• Dumbbell skull crusher
• Incline-bench skull crusher
• Decline-bench skull crusher

FAQ