Exercise Guide

Two Dumbbell Skullcrusher

A skullcrusher with a dumbbell in each hand. The neutral grip is easier on the elbows than a straight bar, and each arm has to work alone.

BeginnerStrengthPushIsolation
Form
Two Dumbbell Skullcrusher - Start position
Start
Two Dumbbell Skullcrusher - Mid position
Mid
Two Dumbbell Skullcrusher - End position
End

Illustrations by Bryl Lim for Workout Guide, after Everkinetic. Used unchanged under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Details

Primary Muscle

Triceps

Equipment

Dumbbell

Difficulty

Beginner

Category

Strength

Force

Push

Mechanic

Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Shoulders
How to Perform
  1. 1

    Lie on a bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with your arms straight above your chest, palms facing.

  2. 2

    Keeping your upper arms still, bend your elbows to lower the dumbbells beside your head.

  3. 3

    Stop when you feel a stretch in your triceps.

  4. 4

    Extend your elbows to press the weights back up without letting them drift forward.

Tips
  • The upper arms stay pointed at the ceiling - if they swing back it becomes a pullover.
  • Lower beside your ears rather than at your forehead; it is kinder to the elbows.
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