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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:
- Bench position: Position yourself between two parallel benches, placing your hands shoulder-width apart on one bench behind you.
- 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.
- Straight arms: Engage your chest and shoulders, keeping your arms straight and body upright.
The Lift
- Initiate the dip: Slowly bend your elbows, lowering your body down until your upper arms are roughly parallel to the floor.
- Focus on triceps: Concentrate on using your triceps to power the movement.
- Powerfully extend: Push yourself back to the starting position, extending your elbows fully.
- 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