For triceps growth
For triceps growth, single-arm cable pushdown rates higher on our research criteria: easier to progress, easier on the joints.
Dumbbell skull crusher gives more stretch.
Both are good choices that train the triceps the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Dumbbell Skull Crusher. Dumbbells let each arm find a comfortable path with a decent long-head stretch. Awkward to load heavy.
Single-Arm Cable Pushdown. One arm at a time with steady tension. Joint-friendly, with less stretch than overhead work.
For triceps growth, single-arm cable pushdown rates higher on our research criteria: easier to progress, easier on the joints. Dumbbell skull crusher gives more stretch. Both are good choices that train the triceps the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
About the same: both are easy to learn.
Dumbbell skull crusher needs dumbbells and a bench, so a home gym covers it. Single-arm cable pushdown needs a cable station, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Single-arm cable pushdown: it rates Excellent for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric, against Strong for dumbbell skull crusher.