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Weighted Tricep Dips

The parallel-bar dip loaded with a belt or dumbbell, one of the highest-loading compound movements for triceps and pressing strength.

ArmsOtherVertical press
GoLightWeight mediaweighted-tricep-dips

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

Triceps

Secondary

Pectoralis majorAnterior deltoidsCore

Equipment

Other

Pattern

Vertical press

Setup

  1. 01Attach weight with a dip belt or squeeze a dumbbell between the ankles.
  2. 02Grip parallel bars and press to a locked-out support position.
  3. 03Keep the torso close to vertical to bias the triceps.
  4. 04Pack the shoulders down before the first descent.

Execution

  1. 01Lower under control by bending the elbows, keeping them tucked.
  2. 02Descend until the shoulders are near elbow level or comfortable depth.
  3. 03Pause briefly without relaxing at the bottom.
  4. 04Drive back up to a full, stable lockout.

Checkpoints

  • -Torso stays upright rather than folded forward.
  • -Elbows track back at roughly 30 degrees from the torso, not flared wide.
  • -The added weight hangs still with no swinging.
  • -Every rep finishes at complete elbow lockout.

Common mistakes

  • -Adding weight before controlling 10 or more clean bodyweight dips.
  • -Diving the chest forward, which shifts work to the chest and stresses the shoulders.
  • -Cutting depth as the load gets heavy.
  • -Letting the belt weight swing and pull the body out of position.

Programming notes

  • -Use 3 to 5 sets of 4 to 8 reps for strength, adding small plates over weeks.
  • -Use 3 sets of 8 to 12 with lighter loads for triceps hypertrophy.
  • -Alternate with close-grip bench press across training blocks.

Related exercises

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