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Exercise Guide

How to do assisted chest dip

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The assisted chest dip is an excellent way for beginners to build the strength necessary for unassisted dips. By using a machine or a resistance band to provide an upward boost, you can focus on proper form and the contraction of the chest and triceps. This exercise allows for a full range of motion while reducing the total body weight being lifted, making it highly accessible.

Stats

DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Resistance Band, Dip Bar
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Triceps, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup: Option 1: Assisted Dip Machine

  1. Machine Setup: Set the weight on the machine to an appropriate level.
  2. Hand Placement: Grip the handles with palms facing inward and thumbs wrapped around.
  3. Knee (or foot) Placement: Place your knees or feet on the designated platform.
  4. Starting Position: Push up so your arms are straight and your body is elevated.

Option 2: Resistance Band

  1. Band Setup: Securely loop a resistance band around both dip bars.
  2. Hand Placement: Grip the bars with palms facing inward and thumbs wrapped around.
  3. Foot Placement: Place your knees or feet in the middle of the band.
  4. Starting Position: Push up so your arms are straight and your body is elevated.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the dip: Lean forward slightly and slowly bend your elbows, lowering your body down until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
  2. Engage chest and triceps: As you lower, focus on engaging your chest muscles, then push yourself back up using your triceps.
  3. Power through: Extend your elbows fully, returning to the starting position.
  4. Repeat: Perform the desired number of repetitions.

Tips:

  • Forward lean: Leaning forward a bit puts more emphasis on your chest.
  • Elbows out: Let your elbows flare out slightly, as this is more natural for the chest muscles.
  • Control the tempo: Slow, controlled movements maximize muscle engagement and reduce strain on your shoulders.

Common mistakes: Relying too heavily on the machine's counterweight and failing to control the eccentric phase.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Fly Machine

machine seated fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

cable lying fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Cable

cable low chest fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Barbell

barbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Chest Press Machine

machine chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Incline Chest Press Machine

machine incline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Crossover Cable

cable standing fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Dumbbell

dumbbell fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable standing crossovers

ChestFront Shoulder
High Incline Chest Press Machine

machine high incline hammer chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

clap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench Press

barbell paused bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

chest tap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

decline push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

dips between chair

ChestTriceps+1
Resistance Band

resistance band push up

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Dip Machine

machine seated dip

ChestTriceps+1
None

wide grip push-up

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused decline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dip Bar

chest dips

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip on floor

ChestTriceps+1
None

push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

cable lying pullover

ChestBack
Bench

dumbbell close grip bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dumbbell

push-up row

ChestBack+5
Cable

cable incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Chest Press Machine

machine decline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Cable

cable bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

dumbbell incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

diamond push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

incline push-up

ChestTriceps+1
None

floor triceps dips

ChestFront Shoulder+1
Resistance Band

assisted chest dip

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Bench

barbell decline bench press

ChestFront Shoulder+2
None

burpee

ChestTriceps+7