Exercise details

  • Target muscle: Triceps Brachii
  • Synergists: Sternal (Lower) Pectoralis Major, Clavicular (Upper) Pectoralis Major, Pectoralis Minor, Latissimus Dorsi, Rhomboids, Anterior Deltoid
  • Dynamic stabilizer (not highlighted): Biceps Brachii
  • Mechanics: Compound
  • Force: Push

Starting position

  1. Kneel onto the knee pad of the assisted triceps dip machine and grasp the shoulder-width bars.

Execution

  1. Keeping your torso upright and your elbows tucked into your body, inhale as you lower yourself until you feel a mild stretch in your shoulders.
  2. Exhale as you push yourself back up to the starting position until your elbows are almost fully locked.
  3. Repeat.

Comments and tips

  • Keep your head up and torso upright.
  • Do not lock out your elbows.
  • Keeping your torso upright and elbows tucked into your body are important to keep the emphasis on your triceps brachii instead of on your pectoralis major.
  • The difference between a triceps dip and a chest dip is that with the former you keep your torso upright and tuck in your elbows, whereas with the latter you lean forward and flare out your elbows.
  • Use the machine-assisted triceps dip to strengthen the muscles necessary to be able to perform the proper triceps dip. Keep reducing the amount of assistance provided by the machine.
  • If you don’t have access to a machine, you can use resistance bends (i.e. the band-assisted triceps dip). See the second video.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

X