Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher
Also known as: incline dumbbell skull crushers, incline db skull crushers, incline db skull crusher, dumbbell incline skullcrusher, incline dumbbell triceps extension, incline dumbbell lying triceps extension
In SetGrip: Dumbbell Skull Crusher (Incline)
- Secondary muscles
- Delts
- Body part
- Upper Arms
- Position
- Standing
- Laterality
- Bilateral (both sides together)
- Category
- Strength
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Tipping the bench to an incline moves your upper arms past vertical, so the dumbbells travel behind your head and the long head starts each rep from a stretched position a flat skull crusher never reaches. Palms face in, which spares the wrists, and the per-arm loading exposes a lagging side that a bar would hide.
How to do the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher
- Sit on an incline bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing inwards.
- Extend your arms fully overhead, keeping your elbows close to your head.
- Lower the dumbbells behind your head by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stationary.
- Pause for a moment, then raise the dumbbells back to the starting position by extending your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Tip: Keep a slight bend at the top on lying extensions to protect the elbow, but lock out fully on cable pushdowns.
Muscles worked
Primary
Triceps · Arms
The triceps straighten the elbow, and overhead variations stretch the long head at the bottom, so you should feel the whole back of the upper arm working with a hard squeeze at lockout.
Secondary
- Delts — The front delt holds the upper arm in position on overhead extensions and should feel tension but not be lifting.
Common mistakes
- Elbows flaring out — on overhead and lying extensions the elbows should stay pointed forward or up, not out to the sides, since flaring turns it into a press.
- Upper arm moving — the upper arm should be pinned in place and only the forearm should move; if the elbow drifts, drop the weight.
- Not finishing the rep — take every rep to a full triceps squeeze; on pushdowns that means a complete lockout for a count.
- Cutting the stretch — on overhead extensions let the weight travel down behind the head until you feel the long head stretch before pressing up.
Sets, reps and where it fits
| Goal | Sets × reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle growth | 3–4 × 10–15 | 60–90 s |
| Endurance / finisher | 2–3 × 15–20 | 45 s |
| Strength | Not ideal — pick a compound lift for the same muscle | — |
Triceps extensions go after the presses in a push session or at the end of an arm day. Superset them with biceps curls on the same cable stack or with the same dumbbells.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
- Decline Dumbbell Skull CrusherDumbbell
- Dumbbell Lunge with Triceps ExtensionDumbbell
- Stability Ball Dumbbell Triceps KickbackDumbbell
- Across Face Dumbbell Lying Triceps ExtensionDumbbell
- Single Arm Pronated Grip Dumbbell Lying Triceps ExtensionDumbbell
- Single Arm Supinated Grip Dumbbell Lying Triceps ExtensionDumbbell
Without dumbbell
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher work?
The Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher primarily works the triceps. It also involves the delts, which assist the movement and stabilise the joints.
Is the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher good for beginners?
It is rated intermediate, so it suits people who already train regularly. Beginners can still do the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher with light load and a spotter or coach watching the first few sessions; if it feels awkward, pick an easier variation from the alternatives below first.
What can I do instead of the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher?
If you cannot do the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher, try the Kneeling Bodyweight Triceps Extension, the Incline EZ-Bar Skull Crusher or the Barbell Skull Crusher. Each of them trains the triceps through a similar movement, so you can swap them in without changing the rest of the workout.
How many sets and reps should I do?
It depends on your goal. For the Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher, a sensible starting point is muscle growth: 3–4 × 10–15 with 60–90 s rest; endurance / finisher: 2–3 × 15–20 with 45 s rest. Do it after your compound lifts. It is a finishing movement, not the main event.
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Exercise data and animations are licensed ExerciseDB content used in SetGrip. This page is for general information and is not medical or coaching advice.