How to perform Cable Skullcrusher with proper form
Setup
- Attach a straight bar or EZ-bar to the high pulley of a cable machine.
- Stand or sit facing away from the machine, grasping the bar with an overhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
Positioning
- Step back slightly to create tension in the cable.
- Lower the bar so that your arms are fully extended and perpendicular to the floor, elbows close to your head.
Execution
- Keeping your elbows stationary, bend them to lower the bar towards your forehead.
- Ensure your upper arms remain close to your head, focusing on moving only at the elbows.
- Lower the bar until your forearms are parallel to the floor or just above your forehead.
Return
- Extend your arms back to the starting position while maintaining tension in the triceps.
- Avoid locking out your elbows at the top to keep tension on the muscles.
Tips
- Maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement.
- Focus on a controlled motion; avoid using momentum.
- Keep your core engaged for stability.
Common Mistakes
- Flaring elbows out; keep them tucked in.
- Using too much weight, compromising form.
- Not controlling the descent, leading to poor muscle engagement.
Conclusion
Perform the Cable Skullcrusher with attention to form to effectively target the triceps while minimizing the risk of injury.
Exercises

Bench Dip, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Back, Chest

Bench Press Close Grip, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest

Bench Press Close Grip, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest

Bench Press Close Grip, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest

Cable Kickback, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Handstand Push Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Shoulders, Chest

Muscle Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Biceps, Forearms, Shoulders, Back, Chest, Triceps

Skullcrusher, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Skullcrusher, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Skullcrusher, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Skullcrusher, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Triceps Dip, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Back, Chest, Shoulders

Triceps Dip, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps
Synergist: Back, Chest, Shoulders

Triceps Extension, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Triceps Extension, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Triceps Extension, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Triceps Extension, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Triceps Pushdown, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Triceps

Arnold Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Arnold Press, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps
Behind The Neck Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Triceps
Behind The Neck Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Triceps
Behind The Neck Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Triceps
Bench Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Bench Press, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Bench Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Bench Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Bench Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Bench Press, Kettlebell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Bench Press Wide Grip, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Bench Press Wide Grip, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Chest Dip, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Back, Triceps
Decline Bench Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Decline Bench Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Bench Press Wide Grip, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Chest Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Chest Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Incline Chest Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Legs Up Bench Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps
Overhead Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Overhead Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Overhead Press, EZ Bar
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Pullover, Barbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps

Pullover, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Pull
Target: Back
Synergist: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps

Push Up, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Push Up, Bodyweight
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Chest
Synergist: Shoulders, Triceps

Seated Overhead Press, Barbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Shoulder Press, Cable
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Shoulder Press, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Shoulder Press, Smith Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Shoulder Press, Band
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Shoulder Press, Leverage Machine
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Shoulder Press Parallel Grip, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Push
Target: Shoulders
Synergist: Chest, Triceps

Snatch, Dumbbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Pull
Target: Shoulders, Back, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Calves, Chest, Triceps

Thruster, Barbell
Type: Upper, Lower, Push
Target: Shoulders, Glutes, Quadriceps
Synergist: Hamstrings, Chest, Calves, Triceps