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Exercise Guide

How to do bench dip

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

The bench dip is a bodyweight or weighted exercise targeting the triceps, shoulders, and chest. By using a bench for support, you can adjust the difficulty by changing leg position. This movement is highly effective for building pushing strength and triceps mass. It is a versatile exercise that can be performed almost anywhere, making it a common choice for bodyweight and home training.

Stats

TIER
3
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Bench
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Bench position: Position yourself between two parallel benches, placing your hands shoulder-width apart on one bench behind you.
  2. Foot placement: Extend your legs in front of your body; options include:
    • Beginner: Rest your heels on the floor.
    • Intermediate: Place your feet on the opposing bench.
    • Advanced: Hold a weight plate or dumbbell on your lap for added resistance.
  3. Straight arms: Engage your chest and shoulders, keeping your arms straight and body upright.

The Lift

  1. Initiate the dip: Slowly bend your elbows, lowering your body down until your upper arms are roughly parallel to the floor.
  2. Focus on triceps: Concentrate on using your triceps to power the movement.
  3. Powerfully extend: Push yourself back to the starting position, extending your elbows fully.
  4. Reset: Breathe and prepare for the next repetition.

Tips:

  • Body position: Keep your torso upright with a slight forward lean; avoid rounding your back.
  • Elbow position: Keep your elbows relatively close to your body, avoid letting them flare out excessively.
  • Tempo: Adjust the speed. Slow, controlled dips increase muscle tension.

Common mistakes: Keeping the back too far from the bench and shrugging the shoulders up.

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