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Exercises › Triceps › Bench Dips

Bench Dips

Bench Dips is a beginner compound bodyweight exercise that mainly works your triceps, with help from your chest and shoulders.

💪 Triceps🏋️ Bodyweight📈 Beginner🔗 Compound🎯 3 sets of 8-15 reps
Bench Dips: starting position
Starting position
Bench Dips: end position
End position

How to do the bench dips

  1. For this exercise you will need to place a bench behind your back. With the bench perpendicular to your body, and while looking away from it, hold on to the bench on its edge with the hands fully extended, separated at shoulder width. The legs will be extended forward, bent at the waist and perpendicular to your torso. This will be your starting position.
  2. Slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows until you lower yourself far enough to where there is an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Forearms should always be pointing down.
  3. Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Primary: TricepsSecondary: ChestSecondary: Shoulders

Sets and reps

Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.

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Bench Dips alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.

DipsBodyweight · BeginnerDip MachineMachine · BeginnerJM PressBarbell · BeginnerClose-Grip Dumbbell PressDumbbell · BeginnerRing DipsOther · IntermediateTriceps PushdownCable · Beginner

FAQ

What muscles does the bench dips work?

It mainly works your triceps; your chest and shoulders assist.

How many sets and reps of bench dips should I do?

Do 3 sets of 8-15 controlled reps, stopping 1-2 reps before failure. When you can do 15 easily, slow the tempo or add weight.

Is the bench dips good for beginners?

Yes. It is a beginner-friendly movement: start light and focus on the form steps above.

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