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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
- Machine Setup: Set the weight on the machine to an appropriate level.
- Hand Placement: Grip the handles with palms facing inward and thumbs wrapped around.
- Knee (or foot) Placement: Place your knees or feet on the designated platform.
- Starting Position: Push up so your arms are straight and your body is elevated.
Option 2: Resistance Band
- Band Setup: Securely loop a resistance band around both dip bars.
- Hand Placement: Grip the bars with palms facing inward and thumbs wrapped around.
- Foot Placement: Place your knees or feet in the middle of the band.
- Starting Position: Push up so your arms are straight and your body is elevated.
The Lift:
- Initiate the dip: Lean forward slightly and slowly bend your elbows, lowering your body down until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
- Engage chest and triceps: As you lower, focus on engaging your chest muscles, then push yourself back up using your triceps.
- Power through: Extend your elbows fully, returning to the starting position.
- 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