Ripped at 54, Mike O’Hearn Discloses His Favorite Exercise for Bigger Arms: “Really Fill Out Those Triceps”

54-year-old Mike O’Hearn hasn’t just held on to his Mr. Universe-winning physique but also his strength. One of the original fitness influencers, O’Hearn has been giving fitness advice to millions of people on the internet for over a decade. Earlier, the 54-year-old bodybuilder showed one of his favorite triceps exercises for growing bigger arms.

While many coaches and influencers lift light weights when demonstrating an exercise, O’Hearn did the opposite. The American Gladiators actor lifted massive weights, showing impressive strength for his age. O’Hearn’s exercise is also versatile and can be performed using different equipments.

A versatile movement that isolates the triceps

In the Instagram video, Mike O’Hearn used bench press equipment to perform the exercise. The 54-year-old laid the bench flat and unracked a barbell. However, instead of pressing it upward like a traditional bench press, O’Hearn maneuvered the barbell to head level. Instead of using his chest muscles, O’Hearn lowered the barbell toward his head.

Bending the arm from his elbow, O’Hearn only used his triceps to control the weight. He also performed each rep slowly, increasing the time-under-tension. “Always be smart and take your time with exercising. For me, this exercise still works on my core foundation of connective tissue to keep it strong and healthy,” wrote the former competitive bodybuilder.

The power bodybuilding practitioner essentially performed a variation of triceps extensions called the ‘skull crusher.’ Mike O’Hearn said it’s among his favorite exercises to do, “either reverse grip or close grip to really fill out those triceps.” Those looking to ass skull crushers have options to alter the exercise.

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If someone is more comfortable with dumbbells, those can also be used to perform the exercise. A standing variation of the movement also exists. However, it might not be a good idea to lift as heavy as the bodybuilding veteran when starting out. Mike O’Hearn has decades of experience and has learned from bodybuilding greats.

The mentors of Mike O’Hearn

The 54-year-old bodybuilder has learned from bodybuilding greats like Frank Zane, Robby Robinson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and more. Despite being 54, the former powerlifter still trains with bodybuilding legend and Masters Olympia winner Robby Robinson at Gold Gym. When Robinson shows him an old-school exercise, O’Hearn immediately tries it out.

He has also learned about dieting and maintaining a shredded physique year-round from the King of Aesthetics, Frank Zane. The three-time Mr. Olympia had a shredded and muscular look even in his late 60s. Hence, it’s no surprise that O’Hearn maintains a conditioned physique.

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After decades of training in the gym and trying out numerous variations of each exercise, Mike O’Hearn chose the barbell skull crusher as one of his favorite exercises. Will you try out the movement? Let us know in the gym.