How To Do The Lying Triceps Extension Exercise

Lying triceps extension also known as the Skullcrusher. The lying triceps extension is a great way to build mass for the triceps.

Lying triceps extension also known as the Skullcrusher. The lying triceps extension is a great way to build mass for the triceps. It allows you to use heavier weight to overload the triceps muscle. It hits all three triceps heads including the lateral head, long head, and medial head. In this exercise demonstration, I use the EZ-Curl bar. Why? Because the EZ-Curl bar puts your hand position at a slight pronated position which relieves stress on the wrist while providing more focus on the lateral head. The long head of the triceps provides more mass for the back of the arm.

To perform this exercise, lay back on the bench with your arms perpendicular to your chest. Lower the barbell to your forehead and extend back up using your triceps to move the weight. You can increase the intensity and focus on the long head of the triceps by moving your arm position, extending the arms farther over the head, allowing the bar to go above your head. With the arms extended farther back it allows for consistent gravity throughout the full range of the motion. The farther you extend your arms the more stretching that is applied on the long head resulting on a movement more focused on the long head of the triceps which provides the most mass to the back of the arm.