Elbow Joint when doing triceps

[Slafco]

I've had this problem since i started training 8 months ago. I don't what it is, but in my left elbow, its like the joint clicks during the motion of the exercise im doing. This only happens for tricep exercises. Has anyone had the same problem? Is there any way to fix it?.. ive notices that it only happens when doing cirtain tricep exercises.. for example, when i do skullcrusher it happens, but when i do the skull crusher with a wide grip it dosent happen. Is it bad to continue exercising with this problem? any info would be great. thanks.

[cma_369]

I get the same thing happening to me too when doing skullcrushers aswell. Wolud also like to know what it is...

[adam.neubauer]

Slafco,
I had a similar problem when doing skull crushers. I would experience extreme pain in my elbows when doing them. It sounds like your problem could be mechanics. You can try a few different wrinkles in the exercise.
1) Contrary to what people tell you, do NOT go all the way down to your forehead. This causes unneccessary stretching of the tendon around the joint. Bring your hands down SLIGHTLY greater than 90 degrees. If one of your friends tells you to 'go all the way down' tell him to shut the fk up.
2) Warm up like crazy. Do very light weight for at least 4 sets.
3) Try using a 'cambered' bar. It is a bar that allows you to grip with your palms facing eachother, rather than facing outwardly. This grip allows your elbows to remain in a more natural position.

I love skull crushers as well, so I would advise tweaking your mechanics before listening to anyone who tells you to stop doing them.

[Vaper]

DOing them on a decline takes the strain off the joints a bit, make sure you warm up with rope pulldows or somthing first.

[MontanaPT]

i like adams comment about telling your friends to shut the f up haha. anyway i agree with him also on easing into it although 4 sets of warm up seems excessive. i have had this problem also and pyramidding has helped. also, try not totally locking out on the top and see it that helps. my arms genetically don't go straight so when i try to straighten them completely i notice excess stress on my elbow. i like an ez curl bar inside grip personally. ive had friends notice pain in the wrist and elbows when first starting and it seems to go away good luck

[Bgreise24]

Well is had the same issue, i never had to much pain though, you feel it click or pop and maybe hear it too. It was also my left elbow, it could be something with your cartlidge or nothing at all. Mine went away but recurs on occasion. I suggest if it is popping to much then take a week off and come back and see if it is still doing it. Most importantly listen to your body

[lokerman]

I hurt my elbow doing skullcrushers a few years ago. I stopped lifting because of it until recently. I don't do them anymore. I suggest sticking with other triceps extensions, but that' just cause I'm scared of doing skullcrushers now.

[Slafco]

Ok thanks guys, I think my only solution is what pete's saying, which is to tweak my exercises.. i don't experience any pain tho, just that annoying click or pop, i think it has somthing to do with the tendon. I hope i can find a permanent fix tho, because i feel like i get a much better workout on my right tricep and i dont want to have one arm bigger than the other lol.

[Duckenheimer]

Slafco,
I had a similar problem when doing skull crushers. I would experience extreme pain in my elbows when doing them. It sounds like your problem could be mechanics. You can try a few different wrinkles in the exercise.
1) Contrary to what people tell you, do NOT go all the way down to your forehead. This causes unneccessary stretching of the tendon around the joint. Bring your hands down SLIGHTLY greater than 90 degrees. If one of your friends tells you to 'go all the way down' tell him to shut the fk up.
2) Warm up like crazy. Do very light weight for at least 4 sets.
3) Try using a 'cambered' bar. It is a bar that allows you to grip with your palms facing eachother, rather than facing outwardly. This grip allows your elbows to remain in a more natural position.

I love skull crushers as well, so I would advise tweaking your mechanics before listening to anyone who tells you to stop doing them.

Great post. Tweak the form until it doesn't affect your joints, and if you can't do that, find a new exercise. Close grip benches, dips and pushdowns are great. But you say you CAN do them with a wide grip without clicking etc., so you should do that.

I recommend for the last warmup set though being about 90% of your work set weight for just 3 reps. Rest for about 3 minutes before doing your work set (5 minutes for a big exercise). I find this really prepares me for a heavy work set weight much better than just light warmup sets.