Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Barbell Decline Close Grip to Skull Press: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The barbell decline close grip to skull press is a compound exercise targeting the triceps, performed on a decline bench with a close grip on the barbell. It combines elements of a close grip press and a skull crusher, challenging both triceps strength and stability.

Primary muscles
Triceps
Secondary muscles
Chest , Shoulders
Equipment
Barbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the barbell decline close grip to skull press
Front view: muscles worked by the barbell decline close grip to skull press. Primary: triceps. Secondary: chest and shoulders.
Back view: muscles worked by the barbell decline close grip to skull press. Primary: triceps. Secondary: chest and shoulders.
Primary Secondary

How to do the barbell decline close grip to skull press

  1. Step 1: Lie on a decline bench with your head lower than your feet and hold a barbell with a close grip.
  2. Step 2: Lower the barbell towards your forehead by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stationary.
  3. Step 3: Pause for a moment, then extend your arms to press the barbell back up to the starting position.
  4. Step 4: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the barbell decline close grip to skull press by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

Barbell Decline Close Grip to Skull Press alternatives

More exercises that train the triceps as their main target:

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Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.