French Press

Teaching points

• Lay on a bench on your back holding a barbell, with the hands approximately head width apart
  
  
• Start with the arms extended at chest level, with the hands pointing to the ceiling
  
  
• Keep your upper arms still as you bend the elbows, lowering the bar towards your head
  
  
• Once the bar reaches a couple of inches above your forehead, return to the starting position
  
  
• This exercise is sometimes also called a skull-crusher!

Variations & progressions

• Perform one arm at a time using dumbbells

Muscles worked

• Triceps Brachii

Alternative exercises

• Tricep extension using a resistance band
  
  
• Overhead tricep extension using a resistance band
  
  
• Tricep dip
  
  
• Tricep kickback
  
  
• Jaw breaker

Related injuries

• Inflammation and rupture of the triceps tendon