Skip to content

Chest Dip

Primary muscle
Chest
Secondary muscles
ShouldersTriceps
Equipment
Machine

Overview

A bodyweight press on parallel bars with a forward lean. It emphasises the lower chest, front shoulders and triceps.

How to do it

  1. Grip the parallel bars and press yourself up with your arms straight.

  2. Lean your torso slightly forward and bend your knees, crossing your ankles if you like.

  3. Lower yourself slowly by bending your elbows, letting them flare slightly outward.

  4. Descend until your shoulders are just below your elbows or you feel a good chest stretch.

  5. Press back up to straight arms, keeping the forward lean.

Tips

  • Use an assisted dip machine or a band if you cannot yet do full reps.
  • Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears.
  • Add weight with a dip belt only once bodyweight reps feel easy.

Common mistakes

  • Dropping too deep and letting your shoulders roll forward.
  • Staying fully upright, which shifts the work to your triceps.
  • Swinging your legs to get through the hard part.

Similar exercises

All Chest exercises

Log Chest Dip in Bulky

Add it to a routine, log every set, and watch your progress. Free on the web today — the iOS and Android apps are coming soon.