Reverse French Press (skull crushers)

N

nrich

Cathlete
Hello,

I know there have been a few people posting lately about help with triceps. I too am trying to get that area under control before short sleeve season hits the Northeast.

I saw in a book an example of a REVERSE French Press. I'll try to explain: Instead of looking at the back of your hands...you switch your hands around so you are looking at an open hand. I tried them this morning and they really hit the triceps in a different way and I couldn't do nearly as many reps by changing the hand placement.

Has anyone tried these? Or does anyone know how changing this excercise might change the way the muscle is worked (from an anatomical standpoint)?

I really feel like this slight change can make a difference in my tricep development.

NR
 
Hi,
I've done this move a few times. It really works your triceps. I usually go heavy with regular skull crushers but with this one, I go lighter and did less reps as it burns like crazy after 8 reps. This one is one of my favorite moves. I really recommend this one for people with no wrist issues. If you have a wrist issue, I do not recommend this move at all as it can bother your wrist, you lose control and dumbbell will drop right in your face.

Thanks for posting this. :)

Lisa
 
Yes, I do these pretty frequently at the gym. Do you have an EZ bar at home? EZ bars are great for this exercise b/c they kind of allow for a little extra room for your face while you do the movement, if that makes sense. It also allows for different kinds of grips so you can hit the muscle at different angles. The exercise itself doesn't really change the way the muscle is worked--most tricep exercises are pretty much the same motion w/variations w/dumbells, barbells, or machines.

You know, I actually stole a modified overhead extension from Jari Love that really burned my tris. When you do the overhead extension w/a dumbell, instead of bringing the dumbell behind your head in a backwards motion, bring your forearm slightly in front of your face and bring the dumbell down sideways, across the front of your face. I don't know why, but the change of the angle worked my tris much more than the traditional position.

Of course, IMO dips are the best tricep exercise there is. Once you get good at dips, for an extra challenge you can place your feet on a chair or stability ball, or place weights on your lap, or both.........}(
 
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I don't have an EZ bar but I will look into it. Also, changing the angle of the overhead extensions seems worth trying too. Change is good sometimes.

NR
 
I've used them before (I can't remember what instructor does them: Karen voight? Michael Olajide? Both?). You have to be careful about not going so heavy that you risk the weight dropping out of your hands! Then it WOULD be a skull crusher!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top