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Exercise Guide

How to do dips between chair

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

This bodyweight exercise is an accessible way to target the triceps, chest, and front deltoids at home. By supporting your weight on two sturdy chairs and lowering your hips, you build upper body pressing strength. It is a highly effective movement for toning the arms and improving shoulder stability, requiring only minimal equipment to provide a challenging workout for various fitness levels.

Stats

TIER
3
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
None
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Triceps, Front Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Chair position: Place two sturdy chairs with backs facing each other, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  2. Hand placement: Sit on the edge of one chair and position your hands on the edge of the opposite chair, fingers facing forward.
  3. Foot position: Extend your legs in front of you, your heels resting on the floor.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate: Engage your core and slowly lower your body by bending your elbows. Aim to go 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. Powerful press: Forcefully push yourself back up to the starting position, extending your elbows fully.
  4. Reset: Breathe, reset your posture, and prepare for the next repetition.

Tips:

  • Upright posture: Maintain an upright torso, avoiding excessive leaning forward.
  • Elbow position: Keep your elbows close by your sides, avoiding flaring out.
  • Variations: For more difficulty, elevate your feet onto a bench or another chair.

Common mistakes: Allowing the elbows to flare outward and shrugging the shoulders up toward the ears.

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