I've always believed that lowering the bar behind your head increases the stretch of the triceps muscle, as well as increasing the ROM and making the exercise more difficult.
Obviously, because of this the shoulder joint does tend to bend a bit towards the head, which would increase lat involvement in the exercise.
I have always felt that this wasn't necessarily "cheating", because I would outweigh the weight I'm able to use on the exercise against keeping form completely strict and lowering the bar to my forehead. I feel you get very little power performing it this way.
Normally I am a stickler on form and never increase weight until I'm able to with perfect form, but I have always used this as a bit of an exception because I still feel my triceps doing most of the work.
Is this cheating, and should I stop lowering the bar behind my head?
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Results 1 to 10 of 10
Thread: "Cheating" on Skullcrushers
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09-01-2013, 04:51 AM #1Registered User
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"Cheating" on Skullcrushers
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09-01-2013, 04:57 AM #2Registered User
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i always thought they were different exercises; french press when you lower it behind your head
with that said, i prefer french press: seems to be more elbow friendly in my caseAlways pick 4
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09-01-2013, 05:01 AM #3Registered User
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It is also definitely easier on your elbows.Originally Posted by mickydees
I always thought French press was with an EZ curl while seated?
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09-01-2013, 07:28 AM #4Bootless Errand
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If you still feel the work in your triceps, then for you, it's not "cheating."Originally Posted by thatguyinthegym
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09-01-2013, 02:54 PM #5Strength Addict
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Taking the movement to behind your head and then extending outwards will hit both heads of the tricep. Ripp can explain it much better than I can:
http://www.allthingsgym.com/back-to-...eps-extension/"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38,39
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09-01-2013, 02:58 PM #6Registered User
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The Arnold Style (in his encyclopedia) say to lower behind the head. I like those a lot - but I also like the one where I lower the bar straight to the forehead. I can't do as much weight, but I feel they are both worthwhile. Treat them as 2 separate exercises. I feel the behind the head version higher on the triceps, and the straight to the forehead version more around the elbow/lower triceps.
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09-01-2013, 03:18 PM #7Registered User
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The triceps extend both the elbow and the shoulder joints
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09-01-2013, 07:55 PM #8Registered User
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Do whatever feels best for your triceps. There is no universally correct form on any exercise.
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09-01-2013, 07:59 PM #9Registered User
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as long as you are able to increase your strength on that it doesnt matter. it does involve some shoulders and lats but feels good stretch on triceps too. i think for triceps extension you will get good results from that version too.
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09-01-2013, 08:02 PM #10Registered User
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It isn't "cheating" at all, so no worries, but everyone else is right... it is just simply a different exercise, or even a modified version of the skullcrusher... also by not bringing your arms below your head, your isolating the tricep, and not using lats or even chest to help the bar back in front of you head. Either way its a great exercise, so go with what you prefer.
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