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Incline Skull Crusher - Instructions, Variations & Alternatives

Muscles involved

  • Triceps

    Also known as

    • Incline Triceps Extension
    • Incline French Press

    How to perform

    Incline Skull Crusher - Starting position

    Incline Skull Crusher - Starting position

    Incline Skull Crusher - Muscle Under Tension

    Incline Skull Crusher - Muscle Under Tension

    1. Set up & Starting position (seated leaning back)
      Lie on an incline bench set to 25-40 degrees and hold the weight using a close pronated (overhand) grip about shoulder-width apart, and carefully extend your arms straight up so that your arms are vertical to the floor. Keep elbow slightly bent.

    2. Eccentric phase
      Keeping your upper arms fixed, inhale as you flex your elbows and lower the weight toward your forehead or just above in a smooth semi-circular motion.

    3. Concentric phase
      Exhale as you extend your elbows and take the weights back to the starting position.
      Repeat.

    As you increase the angle of the bench the upper arms move closer to an overhead position which puts a bit more emphasis on the long head.

    Exercise Alternatives