Skullcrushers, Close Grip Bench or Tri Pushdowns?

dseiler · 12-21-2004, 11:42 AM

Anyone have better results with one over the others? From an outside POV, seems like the Close Grip Bench looks the best, hard to keep strict form on the Tri Pushdowns.

$AJ · 12-21-2004, 11:44 AM

modifications of close-grip benching - reveres-grip, floor pressing, rack lockouts, etc...

IronMike · 12-21-2004, 11:47 AM

I like skulls the best. With CG Bench shoulders and chest are used and I need the isolation.

Try lowering the weight a bit on pushdowns if you're having problems keeping strict form.

Defiant1 · 12-21-2004, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dseiler

Anyone have better results with one over the others? From an outside POV, seems like the Close Grip Bench looks the best, hard to keep strict form on the Tri Pushdowns.

They are all different.

Skulls work the long head of the triceps, which gives it the most size.

CGBP is a good mass builder for the outer head.

Pushdowns are a good finishing move for the "horseshoe" shape.

**Bignbuff** · 12-21-2004, 01:10 PM

I think all three are good.

Personally, I prefer skullcrushers. I use the other two nonetheless.

PsYoP78 · 12-21-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defiant1

They are all different.

Skulls work the long head of the triceps, which gives it the most size.

CGBP is a good mass builder for the outer head.

Pushdowns are a good finishing move for the "horseshoe" shape.

Excellent answer.

You have three heads that make up your triceps. Although when training triceps, you hit them all, some exercises activate them more than others.

Leeman · 12-21-2004, 02:29 PM

I like to do heavy CGBP and single arm tri-pushdown, but they are all great tricep exercises.

Big-Golden · 12-21-2004, 03:29 PM

I definately like them all. Are you going to use just one?

DiamondDelts · 12-21-2004, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dseiler

Anyone have better results with one over the others? From an outside POV, seems like the Close Grip Bench looks the best, hard to keep strict form on the Tri Pushdowns.

You should use all three for complete tri development.

jkoehn1 · 12-21-2004, 08:19 PM

Don't leave out close-grip dips (elbows back). They have done wonders to my triceps the last 5 weeks.

Powerbuilt · 12-21-2004, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dseiler

Anyone have better results with one over the others? From an outside POV, seems like the Close Grip Bench looks the best, hard to keep strict form on the Tri Pushdowns.

I have best gains with skull crushers, BUT I alternate every few weeks with skull crushers or cable press downs as my opener. I follow them with overhead dumbell press then mule kicks with a cable set at waist level.

dseiler · 12-22-2004, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big-Golden

I definately like them all. Are you going to use just one?

Initially I am going to use two. Sounds like skulls and the close-grip are the best.

da_chemist · 12-22-2004, 09:59 AM

Dont leave out any. If you can do two suck it up and do three. Your tris make up 2/3 of your arms mass and are a hell of a lot easier to get bigger than your bis. Get big tris and your arms will be huge.

**Bignbuff** · 12-22-2004, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da_chemist

Dont leave out any. If you can do two suck it up and do three. Your tris make up 2/3 of your arms mass and are a hell of a lot easier to get bigger than your bis. Get big tris and your arms will be huge.

Good advice. People often forget how important it is to have big triceps if they want big arms.

ed073 · 12-22-2004, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defiant1

They are all different.

Skulls work the long head of the triceps, which gives it the most size.

CGBP is a good mass builder for the outer head.

Pushdowns are a good finishing move for the "horseshoe" shape.

Yep. Agree.

vai876 · 12-22-2004, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronMike

I like skulls the best. With CG Bench shoulders and chest are used and I need the isolation.

Try lowering the weight a bit on pushdowns if you're having problems keeping strict form.

I've found that the best way to isolate the triceps when doing CGBP is to stop about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way down because this is when your triceps are activated the most. It's when you go beyond this point that your shoulders and pecs really get into it. If you're new to this method, use a Smith Machine and set the pins to just under the half-way mark. When doing a rep extend the bar to full lockout, slowly lower the bar until it just touches the pins, then explode upwards to lockout again. When you get comfortable with stopping at the precise position ditch the Smith Machine and go over to the Barbell.

desire4dumbells · 12-22-2004, 10:53 PM

yeh fellas tahts all good in theory to do 3

but most ppl do the chest n tri or push (same thing)

Now after a heavy chest workout, if u do more then 3 sets of tri ur usually, well, u know, i swear its over training (bloody dips cain ur tri's, they should count).

So one is usually the go, unless u wanna do one set of each, which i think is silly.

i did skulls today, but interesting u guys mention outer head is cgbp, and i need an outer head so i might switch

DiamondDelts · 12-22-2004, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desire4dumbells

yeh fellas tahts all good in theory to do 3

but most ppl do the chest n tri or push (same thing)

Now after a heavy chest workout, if u do more then 3 sets of tri ur usually, well, u know, i swear its over training (bloody dips cain ur tri's, they should count).

So one is usually the go, unless u wanna do one set of each, which i think is silly.

i did skulls today, but interesting u guys mention outer head is cgbp, and i need an outer head so i might switch

3 sets of tri exercises is over training just because you also train chest? I don't think so.

DiamondDelts · 12-22-2004, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vai876

I've found that the best way to isolate the triceps when doing CGBP is to stop about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way down because this is when your triceps are activated the most. It's when you go beyond this point that your shoulders and pecs really get into it. If you're new to this method, use a Smith Machine and set the pins to just under the half-way mark. When doing a rep extend the bar to full lockout, slowly lower the bar until it just touches the pins, then explode upwards to lockout again. When you get comfortable with stopping at the precise position ditch the Smith Machine and go over to the Barbell.

I do close grip floor press to get the partial rep movement out of it.

desire4dumbells · 12-23-2004, 12:58 AM

not three sets dd, more then 3 sets re read my post.

i spose you could alternate each week.........spose.....but i wouldnt....bleh :P

desire4dumbells · 12-23-2004, 01:53 AM

u dont reckon doin heavy incline bench n heavy dips works ur tries?

DiamondDelts · 12-23-2004, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desire4dumbells

u dont reckon doin heavy incline bench n heavy dips works ur tries?

Nope, neither one of those two exercises don't really do **** for my tri's. I am NOT a fan of the "don't work this muscle, because it gets indirectly worked through other exercises" mentality." I target every muscle group with specific exercises from different angles to get complete growth out of them.

**Bignbuff** · 12-23-2004, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiamondDelts

Nope, neither one of those two exercises don't really do **** for my tri's. I am NOT a fan of the "don't work this muscle, because it gets indirectly worked through other exercises" mentality." I target every muscle group with specific exercises from different angles to get complete growth out of them.

Ditto...that is the way to go IMO.