Skull Crushers vs Dips

[TheJunior]

Which is Better?
I Do both, but dips hit my lower chest at the same time, which isn't always good
SkullCrushers get awkward when going heavy.

Any Suggestions?

[DJAuto]

Skullcrushers will have more direct tricep impact. Both are valid movements.

[HevEw8]

Which is Better?
I Do both, but dips hit my lower chest at the same time, which isn't always good
SkullCrushers get awkward when going heavy.

Any Suggestions?

How about kickbacks vs dips... the kickbacks really burn those tris...

kidding of course...

the stretch you get from properly performed skull crushers is beneficial, but weighted dips are a powerlifting assistance exercise for a reason (ie- madcow 5x5)

Work up to +100 lbs or more and you tell me which one hits the tris/chest harder... dips are also easy to modify with body position.

[k9pit]

Depends on form....

I do both, and overhead rope pulls (extensions) as well. That rounds out my Triceps work.

for what it's worth.....I tend to get DOMS in my Tricep Medial Head with Skullcrushers. I rarely get that with dips or weighted dips for that matter. While I usually get DOMS in the Tricep Long Head with the overhead rope pulls.

[Anthony21]

Which is Better?
I Do both, but dips hit my lower chest at the same time, which isn't always good
SkullCrushers get awkward when going heavy.

Any Suggestions?

I found if I am facing away from the dip machine and my grip is on the very end of the handles I tend to have an easier time staying more upright which will hit the triceps better vs having your torso bend which will hit the chest as well.

[homegrown84]

Which is Better?
I Do both, but dips hit my lower chest at the same time, which isn't always good
SkullCrushers get awkward when going heavy.

Any Suggestions?

I have done both of course but do to discomfort in my shoulder while doing dips I cut them out and used to do skull crushers all the time but last night I did decline skull crushers and man I don't know about anybody else but the difference is night and day. decline skull crushers ROCK. My tris were so pump it was amazing. Another great thing is that you don't need a spotter at all cause you are so close to the ground you just pick the weight right up. BUt I am a firm believer as of last night decline skulls are my new favorite tricep exercise.

[mebby]

keep ur elbows in and legs straight to isolate triceps more on parallel bar, but it will still hit chest and shoulders

[Tyciol]

How about kickbacks vs dips... the kickbacks really burn those tris...kidding of course...

the stretch you get from properly performed skull crushers is beneficial, but weighted dips are a powerlifting assistance exercise for a reason (ie- madcow 5x5) Work up to +100 lbs or more and you tell me which one hits the tris/chest harder... dips are also easy to modify with body position.

What's to kid about? It's true that kickbacks cause more of a burning sensation since they put tension on the maximally contracted position, exactly where something like a dip wouldn't since your arms would be locked out and supported by the bones.

"which ones hits the chest harder" isn't a factor here, I don't think anyone's arguing that kickbacks or skullcrushers hit the chest.

As far as the triceps, whatever move hits it harder is a factor of resistance put on the muscle. So in theory they can all be the best. The reason dips succeed is probably because they are more stable, probably a more instinctive kind of movement (closed chain, bodyweight) and the huge poundage people move up to allow them to make really small increases in resistance that gradually boost them up to huge levels. The huge stretch put on the ground of the shoulder and chest risks dislocating the arm so lots of muscles will kick in to try and prevent that, like the triceps so you can bend the elbow more and shorten the leverage put on the shoulder, or the lats to help with adduction and even flexion as the elbow goes behind into hyperextension.

[MauriceMD]

As someone said earlier in the thread

Keep your body upright while doing dips to reduce chest involvement.

Weighted dips / heavy close grip bench press are killer tricep exercises.

[noflyingcars]

I have done both of course but do to discomfort in my shoulder while doing dips I cut them out and used to do skull crushers all the time but last night I did decline skull crushers and man I don't know about anybody else but the difference is night and day. decline skull crushers ROCK. My tris were so pump it was amazing. Another great thing is that you don't need a spotter at all cause you are so close to the ground you just pick the weight right up. BUt I am a firm believer as of last night decline skulls are my new favorite tricep exercise.

I've heard good things about decline skullcrusher, I'll have to try them.


OP, it really depends on how the exercise fits in your program.
I blast my chest and shoulders with DBs bench and chins, so I couldn't add dips to that.
Skullcrusher is my favourite triceps exercise.

[chrisboudreaux]

What's to kid about? It's true that kickbacks cause more of a burning sensation since they put tension on the maximally contracted position, exactly where something like a dip wouldn't since your arms would be locked out and supported by the bones.

"which ones hits the chest harder" isn't a factor here, I don't think anyone's arguing that kickbacks or skullcrushers hit the chest.

As far as the triceps, whatever move hits it harder is a factor of resistance put on the muscle. So in theory they can all be the best. The reason dips succeed is probably because they are more stable, probably a more instinctive kind of movement (closed chain, bodyweight) and the huge poundage people move up to allow them to make really small increases in resistance that gradually boost them up to huge levels. The huge stretch put on the ground of the shoulder and chest risks dislocating the arm so lots of muscles will kick in to try and prevent that, like the triceps so you can bend the elbow more and shorten the leverage put on the shoulder, or the lats to help with adduction and even flexion as the elbow goes behind into hyperextension.

I must've been away for awhile. Tyciol is in the green now. Good advice too.

[BenW22]

There is no "better," only "both."

[kanis999]

There is no "better," only "both."

Yeah, I say just do them both. If you are worried about doing dips because you want to avoid chest work on that particular day, then don't do dips. If skullcrushers feel awkward at higher weight, then you may be doing something wrong technique-wise. Move back to a weight just before it gets awkward and reevaluate. Elbows should not flare.

[BankWalker]

If I had to choose only one ... I'd go with the skull crushers over dips. I feel that they hit the tris more directly than dips. My tricep growth had stalled until I added decline close grip bench press to the mix. It's my new favorite in my tricep routine.

[hulkinout]

As stated previously, an upright torso on dips with elbows held in will torch the triceps more efficiently; leaning forward emphasizes the pecs. If you're still not progressing, give skullcrushers (or even better than that, close grip benches) a spin.

[Willgetnice]

If I had to choose one I'd say skullcrushers (I like them on an incline bench) only because dips, especially weighted dips, tend to hurt my shoulders the heavier I go (I'm sure this is a form issue)

That said, I'd definitely incorporate both into your routine, they're both in the top 3 of tricep exercises I'd say.

[Tommy W.]

I only do dips for chest as I feel these are better for chest than tri's. 2 different positions but too much dipping is tough on the shoulders.
Skullcrushers are all about triceps and I feel the best overall right there with overhead dumbell extensions.

[bonacris]

Dont mean to hi-jack the thread, but what rep ranges do most of you guys do for dips?? I can do 15x5 but was thinking of getting a belt to add weights to or should i increase reps up to 20 or more??

[chazzy1864]

Skull crushers is primarily targeting the long head.

Dips will have more emphasis on lateral head.

[wawoy]

skull crushers give more focus toward the tricep, and dips give you more of an upper body(chest, shoulder, arms). So it really depends on what you want to accomplish