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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:
- Chair position: Place two sturdy chairs with backs facing each other, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Hand placement: Sit on the edge of one chair and position your hands on the edge of the opposite chair, fingers facing forward.
- Foot position: Extend your legs in front of you, your heels resting on the floor.
The Lift:
- 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.
- Focus on triceps: Concentrate on using your triceps to power the movement.
- Powerful press: Forcefully push yourself back up to the starting position, extending your elbows fully.
- 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