Exercise Comparison
Bench Dips vs Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher




Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Instructions
Bench Dips
For this exercise you will need to place a bench behind your back. With the bench perpendicular to your body, and while looking away from it, hold on to the bench on its edge with the hands fully extended, separated at shoulder width. The legs will be extended forward, bent at the waist and perpendicular to your torso. This will be your starting position.
Slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows until you lower yourself far enough to where there is an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Forearms should always be pointing down.
Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher
Secure your legs at the end of the decline bench and slowly lay down on the bench.
Using a close grip (a grip that is slightly less than shoulder width), lift the bar from the rack and hold it straight over you with your arms locked and elbows in. The arms should be perpendicular to the floor. This will be your starting position. Tip: In order to protect your rotator cuff, it is best if you have a spotter help you lift the barbell off the rack.
Now lower the bar down to your lower chest as you breathe in. Keep the elbows in as you perform this movement.
Using the triceps to push the bar back up, press it back to the starting position as you exhale.
As you breathe in and you keep the upper arms stationary, bring the bar down slowly by moving your forearms in a semicircular motion towards you until you feel the bar slightly touch your forehead. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement.
Lift the bar back to the starting position by contracting the triceps and exhaling.
Repeat steps 3-6 until the recommended amount of repetitions is performed.
Verdict
Both exercises target the triceps. Bench Dips is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher is intermediate and uses barbell. Choose Bench Dips if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Decline Close-Grip Bench To Skull Crusher for a greater challenge.