Everybody wants big biceps, which can sometimes mean the triceps are often neglected and underdeveloped. Various triceps extension exercises are undoubtedly the best way to build up the triceps, and possibly the best triceps extension exercise of them all are French curls.
French curls are very similar to skull crushers, but for these fundamental differences:
- They are performed on a decline instead of a flat bench.
- Rather than lowered the bar to the skull, the bar is lowered to a position slightly behind the top of the skull.
- At the top of the movement the bar does not finish over the face as would with skull crushers, but behind the head, following the path the decline puts the arms in.
French curls are thought to be more effective at building the triceps than skull crushers because of the angle of the arms throughout the movement. Whereas the skull crusher allows the lifter to rest at the top of the movement due to an elbow lockout, French curls performed with the arms angled properly will allow for no such rest keeping the tension on the triceps muscles and not resting on the joints.
To perform French curls…
- On decline bench grasp the barbell with an overhand grip as if you are performing a bench press, but hold the bar slightly back of the top of your head.
- Keeping the upper arms stationary, bend at the elbows bringing the bar down to just off the back of your head, and then raise back up.