skullcrushers/french press

[nishnish]

i have not found a better tricep building exercise. however, they are hell on my elbows. i can do them for a while, but eventually my elbows (left on especially) begin to deteriorate. i am convinced that i developed tendonitis in my left elbow from refusing to listen to my body and pushing through the pain when i was younger.

and i never seem to learn! i have been doing them for a while recently, and tonight decided to increase the weight, somehow forgetting that certain threshold where the pain begins. i was plenty warmed up, having trained shoulders first, and then done a couple of tricep exercises beforehand with lots of stretching as well.

sure enough i aggravated my left elbow again and now it hurts like a motherfucker.

i guess i just need to leave them alone for good. i can often do them with dumbells; that doesn't seem to hurt.

in my tricep workouts, i generally try to include:

close grip bench
pressdowns
french press/skull crushers
and some finishing moverment, like kickbacks or summit.

three sets of each.

anyone got any ideas for an exercise to replace skullcrushers?

thanks

 

[bignate73]

reduce your volume....and ditch "tricep day". throw tricep work in on an upper body workout day.

take a week off from direct tricep work at the least, then come back doing just one exercise, rotate through your list.

 

[nishnish]

there's no "tricep day" per se, i have been training them after shoulders...

can you elaborate a bit for me?

my spilt has been:

mon- chest/biceps

tues- legs

wed- abs/calves

thurs- back/rear delts

fri- shoulders/triceps

sat- legs/abs/calves

been getting great results... but still totally open to training advice

 

[dahamn]

i have not found a better tricep building exercise. however, they are hell on my elbows. i can do them for a while, but eventually my elbows (left on especially) begin to deteriorate. i am convinced that i developed tendonitis in my left elbow from refusing to listen to my body and pushing through the pain when i was younger.

and i never seem to learn! i have been doing them for a while recently, and tonight decided to increase the weight, somehow forgetting that certain threshold where the pain begins. i was plenty warmed up, having trained shoulders first, and then done a couple of tricep exercises beforehand with lots of stretching as well.

sure enough i aggravated my left elbow again and now it hurts like a motherfucker.

i guess i just need to leave them alone for good. i can often do them with dumbells; that doesn't seem to hurt.

in my tricep workouts, i generally try to include:

close grip bench
pressdowns
french press/skull crushers
and some finishing moverment, like kickbacks or summit.

three sets of each.

anyone got any ideas for an exercise to replace skullcrushers?

thanks

Elbow problems suck, it affects everything. Hang in there bro and try and stay away from exercises you know will agrevate them.

Dave

 

[big4life]

Here's a thread from the power lifting forum that has a couple great ways to work your triceps. I really like the elbows out extensions.

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27734&highlight=elbows+extensions

 

[steig]

have you tried different grips or bars for your tricep work? if i use and EZ curl bar for lying extensions my elbow will get ripped to pieces. But i don't have elbow pain and get a good tricep workout when i use a straight bar for lying extensions. Just an idea.

 

[nishnish]

thanks for the tips folks- i really appreciate it. and steig- i have been using the ez curl bar for the lying extensions. i will try some light ones with the straight bar and see how it feels.

 

[Extra_Strong]

..bro I had the same problem.... for years same story. I started going to the chiropractor for my back. and told her about my elbow problem..
...she started giving me ajustments to my elbow ... I had given up on them myself..
and after a while i started them back slowly. with light weight and after taking it slow for a while i was able to go heavy agian. If it starts giving me any trouble withch is usaully dones not anymore. I just go see her and she hooks me up .... got to love the chiro good stuff...

 

[tzan]

I have the same issues with my right elbow. I started wearing one of those neosperene elbow sleeves and let me tell you the thing is like magic. I still try to avoid french presses and skulls of any variation, but now at least I can do closegrips and other pushing exercises without the constant pain.

 

[eat big]

CG Bench with 5x5 worked amazingly for me.