Barbell skullcrusher...ouch

[ibaz99]

It's a movement ive just introduced into my workout and it felt ok at the time but today my elbows are KILLING me!! Should this go away or do I stop doing them? Cheers

[lee__d]

Try with DB's

[ibaz99]

Try with DB's

that's what I was doing previously. The problem is that in our gym the dumbbells don't go up in small enough increments. I fear The 22.5kg jump to 25kg (approx 5.5lbs) is maybe too heavy for me to control properly, and I was told it's easier to control with a bar

[lee__d]

Ah I see. Something like an overhead extension on a machine, with a more elbow friendly attachment, maybe be worth looking into. Or try the skull crushers with an ez curl bar, or just do pushdowns (and/or other tri movements) if all else fails.

[ibaz99]

Ah I see. Something like an overhead extension on a machine, with a more elbow friendly attachment, maybe be worth looking into. Or try the skull crushers with an ez curl bar, or just do pushdowns (and/or other tri movements) if all else fails.

overhead cables with a rope sound like an adequate replacement?

[lee__d]

overhead cables with a rope sound like an adequate replacement?

Yes, sir.

[k9pit]

ezbar

[WutangFlex732]

I still do barbell skull crushers on a flat bench so it's a bit easier and no cheating. I have to admit they are a btch on my elbows if I don't warm up properly or go too heavy too fast. Dumbbells are the way to go. Tricep cable extensions are also one of the best substitutes.

[LmRVP10]

Same here OP i have decided to not do any overhead movements because they kill my elbows. I just stick to tricep kick backs, dips, close grip bench, and extensions. Would rather lift for a long time then have elbow injury in the future.

[TheShadowMan]

I'd use a tricep bar if available. If not, dumbbells or ez-bars are both well suited for the task. With dumbbells though, each arm works independently, and thus takes on 100% of the weight it holds. This is ideal because it means you can work each arm evenly, and it takes less weight to do. Come to think of it, when I use a dumbbell in one hand and rep it out to around 20 with light weights - I end up getting way more burned out than with a barbell and going a bit heavier. I find them to be the most effective way to isolate a muscle.

[SikhAndDestroy]

make sure u warm up elbows with some light cable work before
i had the same issue and it went away after time because i stretched and warmed up properly

[Tommy W.]

Use an EZ curl bar and do em like Mark Rippetoe shows.

[ironwill2008]

It's a movement ive just introduced into my workout and it felt ok at the time but today my elbows are KILLING me!! Should this go away or do I stop doing them? Cheers

If you can't find a pain-free way to perform the exercise (dumbbells, EZ Curl bar, etc), drop it.