Are you looking for a way to build strength and tone your arms? If so, you may have heard of French Press and Skull Crushers as two exercises you can incorporate into your fitness routine.
But do you know the difference between the two? In this article, we will discuss what French Press and Skull Crushers are, how to perform each exercise, the benefits of each, and which one you should choose.
Read on to find out all you need to know about French Press and Skull Crushers.
Short Answer
A French press is an exercise that works the triceps muscles.
It is done by lying on a flat bench and pushing a barbell up and away from the chest.
Skull crushers are another triceps exercise but instead of pushing the barbell up away from the chest, the barbell is lowered towards the head.
Both exercises help to build triceps strength, but the French press works a larger range of motion and the skull crushers work the triceps more directly.
What are French Press and Skull Crushers?
French press and skull crushers are two exercises used to target the triceps muscles.
French press is a compound exercise which works all three heads of the triceps.
It is performed by extending the arms overhead while holding a barbell.
Skull crushers, on the other hand, are an isolation exercise which primarily targets the long head of the triceps.
This exercise is performed by lying on a flat bench and pushing a barbell towards the forehead.
Although both exercises target the triceps, they have different benefits and should be incorporated into any workout routine for maximum results.
The French press is a great exercise for developing strength and power in the triceps.
It requires a great amount of core and upper body stability, as well as a full range of motion in the arms.
The skull crusher is an isolation exercise which works the long head of the triceps, providing a great deal of muscular and strength development.
This exercise is best performed with a slow, controlled motion, allowing the triceps to achieve full contraction.
Both exercises have different benefits and can be used in conjunction to maximize the development of the triceps.
When combined, the French press and skull crushers are an incredibly effective way to target the triceps and build muscle.
How to Perform French Press
The French press is an effective compound exercise that works all three heads of the triceps to build strength, muscle size, and definition.
To perform the French press, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and grasping a barbell with an overhand grip.
Keep your arms fully extended, with your elbows locked and your wrists straight.
From this starting position, slowly lower the barbell behind your head, bending your elbows as you do so.
Once your elbows are at a 90-degree angle, pause for a moment and then extend your arms overhead, pushing the barbell up until your arms are fully extended.
Return to the starting position and repeat for a desired number of repetitions.
Its important to keep your elbows tucked in throughout this exercise to ensure that you are targeting the triceps.
As you become more comfortable with the movement, you can add weight to the barbell to increase the intensity.
How to Perform Skull Crushers
Skull crushers are a great exercise for targeting the triceps muscles, specifically the long head of the triceps.
To perform this exercise, start by lying flat on a bench with your feet flat on the ground.
Grip a barbell with an overhand grip and extend your arms up towards the ceiling.
From this position, slowly lower the barbell towards your forehead, keeping your elbows close to your head.
Allow the barbell to touch your forehead briefly before extending your arms back to the starting position.
Make sure to keep your elbows close to your head throughout the entire exercise, as this will ensure proper form and maximum triceps muscle activation.
As you perform this exercise, make sure to keep your back and glutes pressed firmly against the bench.
This will help to stabilize your body and prevent any unnecessary movement.
For an added challenge, you can do this exercise with one arm at a time.
This will further isolate the triceps muscles and really help you to maximize your results.
Benefits of French Press
The French press is an excellent exercise for targeting all three heads of the triceps muscle.
It is an effective compound movement that can be done with either a barbell or dumbbells.
When performed correctly, the French press can help increase strength, power, and size in the triceps.
It is also great for improving overall upper body strength and stability.
The primary benefit of the French press is that it works all three heads of the triceps muscles simultaneously.
This makes it an effective exercise for targeting all three heads of the triceps and building overall tricep mass.
As a compound exercise, the French press also recruits other muscles in the upper body, helping to improve upper body strength and stability.
Additionally, the French press can be done with a variety of weight sizes and rep ranges, making it a great exercise for both novice and experienced lifters.
The French press is also an excellent exercise for increasing core strength and stability.
By pushing the weight away from the body, the French press engages the core muscles, helping to improve posture, balance, and stability.
It is also great for improving strength and stability in the shoulders and upper back, as these muscles must be engaged to stabilize the barbell or dumbbells.
Overall, the French press is a great exercise for targeting all three heads of the triceps and for improving overall upper body strength and stability.
Its versatility makes it a great addition to any workout routine.
Benefits of Skull Crushers
Skull crushers are an excellent exercise for targeting the long head of the triceps.
With this exercise, you can isolate the triceps and focus on the top portion of the muscle, working it to its fullest potential.
This exercise is often used to add size and definition to the triceps, as well as increase strength and power.
It has been found to increase muscle activation in the triceps and can be used to improve overall performance.
The skull crusher can also be used to increase grip strength, as it requires a significant amount of grip strength to hold the barbell in place while performing the exercise.
As an isolation exercise, it can be used to target specific areas of the triceps, making it great for sculpting the muscle and creating definition.
Which Exercise Should I Do?
When it comes to targeting your triceps muscles, you have a few options, but two of the most popular exercises are the french press and skull crushers.
So when it comes to deciding which exercise is best for you, its important to understand the differences between them.
The french press is a compound exercise that works all three heads of the triceps.
It is performed by extending the arms overhead while holding a barbell.
This exercise is great for targeting the muscle fibers and increasing overall triceps strength.
On the other hand, skull crushers are an isolation exercise that primarily targets the long head of the triceps.
This exercise is performed by lying on a flat bench and pushing a barbell towards the forehead.
This exercise is great for isolating the muscle fibers and increasing the size and definition of the triceps.
So which exercise should you do? Ultimately, the answer depends on your individual goals.
If youre looking to increase overall triceps strength, then the french press is a great option.
If youre looking to increase the size and definition of your triceps, then skull crushers are the way to go.
Ideally, you should incorporate both exercises into your workout routine for maximum results.
Putting it All Together
When it comes to building muscle, there are a variety of exercises that can be used to target different muscles.
Two popular exercises used to target the triceps muscles are French press and skull crushers.
French press is a compound exercise that works all three heads of the triceps, while skull crushers are an isolation exercise that primarily targets the long head of the triceps.
Although both exercises target the triceps, they have different benefits, and should be incorporated into any workout routine for maximum results.
French press is performed by extending the arms overhead while holding a barbell.
The exercise is great for targeting the triceps, as well as the shoulders and upper chest muscles.
It is also considered to be one of the most effective exercises for strengthening the triceps, as it works all three heads of the muscle.
Skull crushers, on the other hand, are an isolation exercise that primarily targets the long head of the triceps.
This exercise is performed by lying on a flat bench and pushing a barbell towards the forehead.
As the exercise targets only the long head of the triceps, it is best used as an accessory exercise to compliment a larger triceps workout.
By incorporating both French press and skull crushers into your workout routine, you can maximize the strength and size of your triceps muscles.
French press is great for targeting all three heads of the triceps as well as the shoulders and upper chest, while skull crushers are great for targeting the long head of the triceps.
By combining the two exercises together, you can ensure that all three heads of the triceps are getting the most out of your workout.
Final Thoughts
French press and skull crushers are two great exercises to target the triceps muscles.
French press is a compound exercise that works all three heads of the triceps, while skull crushers are an isolation exercise that primarily targets the long head of the triceps.
Both exercises have different benefits and should be incorporated into any workout routine for maximum results.
So next time you’re at the gym, try out both exercises to see which one works best for you!