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Cable Skull Crusher

The Cable Skull Crusher is a cable exercise that primarily targets the triceps. It is a staple in well-designed hypertrophy and strength programs when programmed with proper volume and progressive overload.

How to perform the Cable Skull Crusher

  1. 1Set a bench in front of a low cable, lie on your back with your head closest to the cable, and grab the handle or bar with both hands, arms straight above your chest, feet flat on the floor, and abs lightly braced. Keep your elbows pointing up and your shoulders relaxed down toward the bench.
  2. 2Slowly bend your elbows to lower the handle toward your forehead or just behind your head for about 2–3 seconds as you breathe in, keeping your upper arms mostly still. Press the weight back up by straightening your arms and squeezing your triceps as you breathe out, stopping just before your elbows lock and moving in a smooth, steady rhythm.

Coach tips

  • Keep your upper arms fixed and only let your forearms move so the triceps do the work, not your shoulders.
  • Don’t let your elbows flare out wide; keep them pointing mostly up to protect your elbows and focus on the triceps.
  • Use a weight you can control without your back arching off the bench or the handle bouncing near your head.
Powered by Hypro

Train triceps smarter

One rep, one set. Hypro turns the Cable Skull Crusher into measurable progress, week after week.

Smart Progression

The right weight, every set

Hypro suggests your next Cable Skull Crusher weight and reps based on what you actually lifted, your rest, and your fatigue. Choose weight-first or reps-first. The more you log, the sharper it gets.

Smart Progression screen suggesting weight and reps for the next set
Weekly Volume

See exactly how much triceps you train each week

Every set you log counts toward weekly volume per muscle group. Spot imbalances, avoid junk volume, and program the same way IFBB Pros do.

Body heatmap showing weekly training volume per muscle group
Coach-Built Plans

Use this exercise inside an IFBB Pro plan

Pick a coach-made program, get a plan matched to your goals, and message your coach for form checks. The Cable Skull Crusher fits right into proven hypertrophy and strength templates.

Library of coach-built training plans inside Hypro

Frequently asked questions

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