Muscles Targeted by Skull Crushers: Professional Advice and Proper Form Suggestions

Skull crushers, also known as nose breakers, may sound intimidating, but they are actually a highly effective exercise for targeting and strengthening the triceps. If you’re looking to build bigger, stronger triceps and improve your bench press prowess, skull crushers are a must-add to your workout routine.

So, what exactly are skull crushers and why should you incorporate them into your upper body training regimen? Let’s break it down.

First and foremost, skull crushers involve lying on your back and lowering weight to your forehead, targeting the triceps muscles located on the back of your upper arm. According to Kyle Sanchez, a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist, the triceps are often overlooked in favor of building bigger biceps. However, the triceps play a crucial role in everyday activities that involve bending or straightening your arms.

The triceps consist of three separate heads – the long head, medial head, and lateral head – that converge into a single tendon at the elbow. Skull crushers work all three heads of the triceps, with a focus on the medial head, which is active in all forms of triceps extension.

In addition to targeting the triceps, skull crushers also engage other muscles that support the movement, including the deltoids, upper back, lats, and forearm muscles. This comprehensive engagement of multiple muscle groups makes skull crushers a highly effective exercise for overall upper body strength.

But the benefits of skull crushers don’t stop there. Here are five reasons why you should consider adding skull crushers to your workouts:

1. They isolate and build the triceps: Skull crushers target all three heads of the triceps, making it a great exercise for isolating and strengthening the muscle.

2. They support shoulder health: By strengthening the long head of the triceps, skull crushers can help maintain healthy shoulder function and prevent shoulder weakness.

3. They promote healthy elbow joint function: Strong triceps are essential for elbow extension, and skull crushers work all three heads of the triceps to improve joint health.

4. They increase pressing strength: Stronger triceps can help overcome sticking points in exercises like the bench press, making skull crushers a valuable addition to your routine.

5. They’re a good alternative for people with shoulder pain: Skull crushers can be a safer option for individuals with shoulder pain, as they are performed while lying on your back with the arms at shoulder height.

Incorporating skull crushers into your workout routine can help you achieve stronger, more defined triceps and improve your overall upper body strength. So, next time you hit the gym, don’t be intimidated by the name – give skull crushers a try and reap the benefits of this effective triceps exercise.