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Three Bench Dip

A bench dip performed with the hands on one bench and each foot elevated on its own bench, maximizing range and triceps loading among bodyweight dip-on-bench variations.

ArmsBodyweightVertical press
GoLightWeight mediathree-bench-dip

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

Triceps

Secondary

Anterior deltoidsPectoralis majorCore

Equipment

Bodyweight

Pattern

Vertical press

Setup

  1. 01Arrange three benches: one behind you for the hands and two in front, one for each heel.
  2. 02Place the hands on the bench edge behind you, fingers pointing forward.
  3. 03Set one heel on each front bench with the legs straight and hip width apart.
  4. 04Lift the hips off the hand bench and brace the trunk.

Execution

  1. 01Bend the elbows to lower the hips between the benches.
  2. 02Descend until the upper arms are about parallel to the floor.
  3. 03Keep the elbows pointing straight back.
  4. 04Press to full elbow extension without shrugging.

Checkpoints

  • -Hips stay close to the hand bench throughout.
  • -Legs stay straight with heels planted on the front benches.
  • -Shoulders stay depressed away from the ears.
  • -Depth is consistent rep to rep.

Common mistakes

  • -Setting the benches too far apart and overstretching the shoulders.
  • -Bending the knees, which removes the elevation advantage.
  • -Sinking into a shrugged, collapsed bottom position.
  • -Sliding the hips forward away from the hands.

Programming notes

  • -Use 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 15 reps once standard bench dips exceed 20 clean reps.
  • -Add a plate on the lap to progress load before moving to bar dips.
  • -Stop sets when depth or shoulder position starts to degrade.

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