Crackling (?) in Triceps: Skull Crushers

[steve4893]

Starting a few weeks ago, when I do Skull Crushers on the upwards movement, as I really squeeze my triceps, there's a light crackling sensation on the side of my triceps that begins and fades as I move the weight up, each rep. There's no pain, and the sensation goes away as soon as I stop exerting the muscle, but I honestly don't have a clue what's going on. I've been getting really good gains in my triceps, and don't want to stop my routine, I was just curious if this is anything to be concerned about or if anyone else has ever experienced this.

[Vovin]

If you're not experiencing pain then I could be wrong, but the crackling is usually associated with tricep strain.

It's both arms or just one?
Does it hurt at all to press them with your opposing hand/fingers?

[acarneiro]

When you feel pain and 'crackling' of the muscles you know that you should analyze what is going on. It could simply be the angle at which you are performing your skullcrushers too. Remember to always keep your elbows pointing up. If that still doesn't help try variating the angle of the bench you are sitting on. Even maybe trying to perform skullcrushers on a decline bench; which helps you point the elbows upwards. If this pain/'cracking' keeps going on and actually starts affecting your training I'd go see your physician, because usually that's how injuries begin.

[steve4893]

If you're not experiencing pain then I could be wrong, but the crackling is usually associated with tricep strain.

It's both arms or just one?
Does it hurt at all to press them with your opposing hand/fingers?

It's both arms, maybe a tiny bit more in my right. Doesn't hurt to press on them.

When you feel pain and 'crackling' of the muscles you know that you should analyze what is going on. It could simply be the angle at which you are performing your skullcrushers too. Remember to always keep your elbows pointing up. If that still doesn't help try variating the angle of the bench you are sitting on. Even maybe trying to perform skullcrushers on a decline bench; which helps you point the elbows upwards. If this pain/'cracking' keeps going on and actually starts affecting your training I'd go see your physician, because usually that's how injuries begin.

I have good form with them, and always keep my elbows aligned and pointed up; if I'm losing form, I stop the exercise. I'll give the decline bench a shot come arm day and see how it goes. It's a very weird tingly crackling, I almost don't want to bother seeing a doctor because it SEEMS like a very mild thing.

[moosecakes4all]

Sub'd to this. Im expiriencing the exact same thing. Strictly in my left tricep. I notice it on tricep extentions and during dead lift when i do the double overhand grip. It doesnt hurt, its just something that i feel could be a potentially big issue.

[Staxed1989]

You are all drastically overthinking your problems or 'issues'. If skulls don't feel great anymore, then do GCBP and dips instead along with pushdowns/kickbacks. If deadlifts with an overhand grip don't feel great, then do a mixed grip. There are always alternatives and ways to get round these issues. Just don't worry about these small things, as they can be easily eliminated.

[anmol_khanna]

When you feel pain and 'crackling' of the muscles you know that you should analyze what is going on. It could simply be the angle at which you are performing your skullcrushers too. Remember to always keep your elbows pointing up. If that still doesn't help try variating the angle of the bench you are sitting on. Even maybe trying to perform skullcrushers on a decline bench; which helps you point the elbows upwards. If this pain/'cracking' keeps going on and actually starts affecting your training I'd go see your physician, because usually that's how injuries begin.

I rprefer to keep elbows up w/o going decline. Decline will inc load on shoulder

[dazsmith69]

decline will give you a better ROM and take some stress of your elbow joint

if its not hurting i dont think its too much to worry about, take each rep slower, perhaps lighten the weight to compensate and see if it still happens, if its ok then continue wracking the weight up making gains

[Joelift]

It's both arms, maybe a tiny bit more in my right. Doesn't hurt to press on them.



I have good form with them, and always keep my elbows aligned and pointed up; if I'm losing form, I stop the exercise. I'll give the decline bench a shot come arm day and see how it goes. It's a very weird tingly crackling, I almost don't want to bother seeing a doctor because it SEEMS like a very mild thing.

Tilting your elbows back slightly toward your head will keep constant pressure on your tricep and reduce the overall pull on your elbow joint. This is the reason that people suggest a decline bench.

[son_of_samhain]

I think I know this sensation you are talking about - mine feels like more of a muscle tingling and it actually feels kinda cool - I only get it on my left tricep though. I can do it anytime, in fact I just did it now to see if it still happens. It happens when you flex right? then all the sudden it feels like a hundred little muscle fibers are tingling right?

I dont think it's anything to worry about, just feels like it's the muscle being stimulated when you flex the tricep. I dunno - just my $.02

[steve4893]

I think I know this sensation you are talking about - mine feels like more of a muscle tingling and it actually feels kinda cool - I only get it on my left tricep though. I can do it anytime, in fact I just did it now to see if it still happens. It happens when you flex right? then all the sudden it feels like a hundred little muscle fibers are tingling right?

I dont think it's anything to worry about, just feels like it's the muscle being stimulated when you flex the tricep. I dunno - just my $.02

Sort of what it's like, yeah. Only thing is, I can't illicit it just by flexing.

I'm not really worried about it, I was just wondering if people out there experienced it and if there were any negative connotations; if you guys do too, and there aren't, then I'm not really concerned.

[moosecakes4all]

You are all drastically overthinking your problems or 'issues'. If skulls don't feel great anymore, then do GCBP and dips instead along with pushdowns/kickbacks. If deadlifts with an overhand grip don't feel great, then do a mixed grip. There are always alternatives and ways to get round these issues. Just don't worry about these small things, as they can be easily eliminated.

Ya, i started doing the mixed grip for dead lift, however i still feel it during lat pull downs.

I just want to make sure, by someone whose expirienced in the matter, that its not going to cause me a big issue, i dont want a ticking time bomb on my hand. Id rather not beat around the pount by just dismissing the body's pain. Thats like trying to duct tape a crack in a dam. Sure it might stop the leak for a bit, but give it a month and all the water will be gone!

[JZ1986]

If it is more of a tingling than a crunch or pop I would suspect a nerve issue. Is like the tingling you get when sleep on your arm the wrong way?

The tricep is innervated by the Radial nerve which travels through the shoulder and elbow, you may just be pinching it a little bit with elbow flexion or movement of the shoulder.

Try adjusting your arm angle and hand placement.

[theshoupguy]

Sort of what it's like, yeah. Only thing is, I can't illicit it just by flexing.

I'm not really worried about it, I was just wondering if people out there experienced it and if there were any negative connotations; if you guys do too, and there aren't, then I'm not really concerned.

I used to get those as well - felt kinda fun. i don't get them anymore sadly.
Nothing bad ever happened with my triceps or elbows, though. Pretty sure there's nothing to worry about.

[VoxExMachina]

Is it actually your muscle that's making the noise and not the joint? I can't say that I've ever actually heard a muscle making any noise whatsoever (though they do "talk back" a day or two after a good leg workout).

Other possible causes of your "crackling" noise:

1. You are wearing a tinfoil shirt

2. Dry skin. Like, really dry

3. You hit your head too many times with the bar (why do you think they call them skull crushers?)

[steve4893]

Nobody ever said it was making a noise; it's a sensation in the muscle.

[VoxExMachina]

Nobody ever said it was making a noise; it's a sensation in the muscle.

I guess it was me who was hearing things.

[-Ironside-]

I know what your talking about. I believe it's just nerves.
The best I can describe it is that it feels like little pop rocks going off sometimes followed by a tingle in the fingers.
Personally I hate it but it doesn't happen all to often so no big deal

[moosecakes4all]

Ya, its not an audible noise. You can feel it in your arm. I just got back from the gym, today was back day. I had to cut lat pulldowns short because it is actually painful now. It feels like something is rubbing against a bone without any lubrication. Its really, really weird. I can feel it strictly in my left side tricep. And i do extensive stretching now before workout and it still happens. Im starting to get kinda worried, if i cant find any good answers here ill just stop by my doctor and update the whole pack.

[djartek]

I would have it looked at...it could be the start of tendonitis or tendonosis.
1) NSAID
2) REST
3) ICE
4) COMPRESS
5) ELEVATE
6) MASSAGE
7) STRETCH
8) HEAT
9) FISH OIL PILLS

[kieran12345678]

i get this too but it dosnt matter if I'm lifting or not if i just stretch my arm my triceps makes a crackling noise it dosnt hurt lol intact i thought it was a good thing

[MWheatley]

Warm up better and don't be so strict on your form with skulls. A little shoulder movement will not diminish your tricep involvement and will take some stress off the elbow.