Bench Dips

Hands on a bench behind you, legs out front; lower your body by bending the elbows, press back up with the triceps.

Bench Dips, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Hands on the bench edge behind you, fingers forward; legs extended, hips just off the bench.

Steps

  1. Lower the hips by bending the elbows straight back.
  2. Stop when the upper arms are about parallel to the floor.
  3. Press back up to straight arms with the triceps.

Common mistakes

Elbows flaring sideways: keep them pointing back. Sinking too deep: the shoulders take over and complain; stop at parallel. Hips drifting away from the bench: keep them brushing it.

Breathing

Inhale down, exhale on the press.