In this short instructional dialogue, Rodrigo Barros explains the barbell skull‑crusher (tríceps testa com barra) as an excellent triceps activation exercise, but warns that it places excessive stress on the elbow due to the long lever created by the forearm. He describes how, as the bar is lowered toward the forehead, the forearm acts as a large lever that heavily loads the long head of the triceps, and how the force vector aligns with the joint when the bar is raised, reducing the lever effect. Because of these mechanical drawbacks, Rodrigo advises he no longer performs the movement himself nor prescribes it to his students. He recommends substituting the barbell version with a cable skull‑crusher, which provides similar triceps stimulus while minimizing elbow strain and eliminating the “rest point” issue present with the barbell. The conversation is framed as a practical tip for athletes, emphasizing individual specificity and safety.
