Triceps Pushdown vs EZ-Bar Skull Crusher
Both straighten the elbow and load the triceps, but the arm position differs: in the pushdown your upper arm is by your side; in the skull crusher it's raised and the long head is stretched.
| Triceps Pushdown | EZ-Bar Skull Crusher | |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles | triceps, mostly the lateral head | triceps, especially the long head |
| Equipment | Cable station | EZ bar |
| Entry bar | 1/3 fine from your first workout | 2/3 give the technique a couple of weeks |
| Pick it when | You want easy triceps volume without stressing the elbows. | You want more long head and more arm size. |
The main difference
The pushdown is simple and gentle: constant tension, easy to add a plate at a time, and the lateral and medial heads do more. In a lying skull crusher your arm points up and back, so the long head starts stretched — and works harder. The price is elbow stress: start with a moderate weight and an EZ bar.
Can you do both
Yes: skull crushers first for triceps, pushdowns second for 12–15 reps. If skull crushers hurt your elbows, an overhead cable extension gives the same stretch more gently.
In which programs
Log both in the diary — your estimated max will show which one is growing faster for you.