Group: Experienced Exercise

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 50, Messages: 19484

For intermediate and advanced individuals. Share and learn how to take your fitness to the next level!

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Dips

FilthyPL3B
FilthyPL3B
Posts: 262
Joined: 2006/04/04
United Kingdom
2007/03/13, 10:00 AM
I've been lifting for a while now and still I can't manage dips. I had thought that if I built up on the bench: incline, flat, decline (barbell/dumbell), then eventually dips would just fit in to my workouts.

My arms feel to "give way" more than anything. However, my arms are quite large in proportion to my body so I have never worked them separately. Figure I work them enough on separate back, shoulder, chest days.

Is the problem simply my arms are too weak, as my form I feel is correct, or perhaps I have not developed my chest enough?

Calvin
jmknippel
jmknippel
Posts: 170
Joined: 2006/02/21
United States
2007/03/13, 10:41 AM
Dips work your triceps, if you haven't been working your triceps to get them stronger you aren't going to be able to do dips unassisted until they are stronger, they don't get worked enough doing other exercises, you need to train them as well.
yadmit
yadmit
Posts: 4,670
Joined: 2003/10/05
Canada
2007/03/13, 11:03 AM
Depends what dips we're talking here. If you're doing parallel bar dips, they can work your chest or your triceps depending upon where you lean.

That being said, you may want to strengthen the triceps to help out. And maybe some shoulder work, too.

Check this link for a great description of the mighty dip.

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/PectoralSternal/WtChestDip.html

t

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I see the words you are typing, but all I read is *click*click*click*

- One should not lift like a man or a woman, lift like a human.
bicep
bicep
Posts: 315
Joined: 2001/01/26
Canada
2007/03/13, 12:17 PM
start working negatives only for a about 4 weeks
and then start regular

it`s a hard exercise but it`s worth it mastering.
ecle5c
ecle5c
Posts: 1,312
Joined: 2003/07/10
United States
2007/03/13, 12:21 PM
Why not start on the assist machine and work your way to doing them with no assist.
FilthyPL3B
FilthyPL3B
Posts: 262
Joined: 2006/04/04
United Kingdom
2007/03/13, 12:54 PM
Cheers,

Tim, its the parallel bar dips leaning forward.

We don't have an assist machine at our gym unfortunatelty, ecle5c.

Think I'll work on a few negatives and see how it goes, I have a well defined tricep so it does strike me as odd that my arms give way.
2007/03/13, 01:02 PM
Don't confuse a well defined muscle with a strong muscle.
Just because it is well defined does not mean it is strong.

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Those who want tolerance must be tolerant to intolerance.
FilthyPL3B
FilthyPL3B
Posts: 262
Joined: 2006/04/04
United Kingdom
2007/03/13, 06:02 PM
Yeah to be honest, I've always been at the gym for aesthetics rather than strength, however, I am determined to get it done.

Whilst I'm not modelling until summer I may see how far I can advance in strength.