Elbow Pain During Tricep Extension Exercises

[ItsDPC]

I'm a 31 year old guy. Been lifting out off and on since 16. Recently I've been on a mass gaining program, which uses high weight and low on 3 tricep extension exercises. I am experiencing pain in my elbows during dumbbell overhead tricep extension, skull crushers and rope pushdown.

I read this article: ericcressey.com/understanding-elbow-pain-part-6-elbow-pain-in-lifters

which says that if you have elbow pain, then you should cut out high weight tricep extensions, and instead focus on compound exercises to grow triceps such as "do weighted push-ups, overhead press, and do dips"

Can I really maintain and continue to grow my triceps without any high rep extensions?

Thanks,
Dave

[nradam123]

It will be nice to know what kind of pain it is.
I am struggling with an elbow pain now, which i think is called "snapping tricep syndrome". I need to get it checked.

[ironwill2008]

Can I really maintain and continue to grow my triceps without any high rep extensions?

The question is moot; you have no choice.

Many trainees have elbow problems when trying to do the triceps exercises you list. Best advice is, if it hurts, don't do it.

[rkutner]

Dave, I've had success with these two remedies to elbow pain from lying tricep extensions, which I had been doing with an EZ curl bar on alternating heavy/light cycles:

1. Elbow strengthening exercises: radial & ulnar deviation and forearm pronation and supination, with a baseball bat (and bat weight as I've gotten stronger), and
2. Using a tricep bar, where your palms face each other, rather than an EZ curl bar where they face 10-20 degrees in from vertical.

Best,
Rob

[lee__d]

I'd lay off the direct triceps work that hurts. If pressing or other movements don't aggravate it, continue with them.

[artvandelay02]

"Larry Scott tricep extensions" are what you need to try. One of the main reasons this movement is so great is because people who typically have elbow pain during overhead extensions can do it without pain. It's become one of my favorite tricep movements and I feel like it hits the long head harder than anything else. There was an article by Larry that I have read that specifically talked about this movement being perfect for avoiding elbow injuries, but I cannot for the life of me find it.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zLkkJdpEHGQ

The video will help you visualize it but here is an article by Larry (great article about arm movements in general) that explains the movement in more detail; he refers to it as the long pull tricep extension.

http://ditillo2.blogspot.com/2011/03...scott.html?m=1