Exercise Comparison
Bench Dips vs Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension




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Instructions
Bench Dips
For this exercise you will need to place a bench behind your back. With the bench perpendicular to your body, and while looking away from it, hold on to the bench on its edge with the hands fully extended, separated at shoulder width. The legs will be extended forward, bent at the waist and perpendicular to your torso. This will be your starting position.
Slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows until you lower yourself far enough to where there is an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Forearms should always be pointing down.
Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension
Lie on a flat bench while holding two dumbbells directly in front of you. Your arms should be fully extended at a 90-degree angle from your torso and the floor. The palms should be facing in and the elbows should be tucked in. This is the starting position.
As you breathe in and you keep the upper arms stationary with the elbows in, slowly lower the weight until the dumbbells are near your ears.
At that point, while keeping the elbows in and the upper arms stationary, use the triceps to bring the weight back up to the starting position as you breathe out.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the triceps. Bench Dips is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension is intermediate and uses dumbbell. Choose Bench Dips if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension for a greater challenge. Bench Dips is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension isolates the target muscle for focused development.