Olympic Barbell Skull Crusher - How to Perform, Muscles, Variants | SatisFIT Skip to main content

Olympic Barbell Skull Crusher

Step by step instructions, muscle activation and variants for the Olympic Barbell Skull Crusher.

MediumTriceps

About this exercise

The Olympic barbell triceps extension (skull crusher) is a lying or seated exercise that isolates all three heads of the triceps by lowering the bar toward the forehead and pressing it back to full arm extension. Using an Olympic barbell provides a consistent, symmetrical load that allows progressive overload.

How to Perform

  • Lie on a flat bench and grip an Olympic barbell with an overhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart
  • Press the barbell to arm's length directly above your chest as the starting position
  • Keeping your upper arms perpendicular to the floor and elbows pointing toward the ceiling, slowly bend your elbows to lower the bar toward your forehead or just behind your head
  • Stop the bar just before it touches your forehead and feel the stretch in your triceps
  • Extend your elbows to press the bar back to the starting position, squeezing the triceps at the top
  • Keep your upper arms stationary and avoid flaring your elbows outward throughout the set

Muscle Activation

Primary
Triceps

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes content is coming soon.

About the Olympic Barbell Skull Crusher

The Olympic Barbell Skull Crusher is a foundational movement that builds strength and muscle through controlled, progressive overload. Train it 1 to 2 times per week with 3 to 5 working sets per session, gradually adding weight or reps as form holds up.

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