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Exercise Comparison

Bench Dips vs Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown

Bench Dips - starting position
Bench Dips - ending position
Bench Dips
beginner·Bodyweight·compound
Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown - starting position
Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown - ending position
Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
beginner·Cable·isolation

Side-by-Side

Bench Dips
VS
Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown
beginner
Level
beginner
Bodyweight
Equipment
Cable
compound
Mechanic
isolation
push
Force
push
Strength
Category
Strength
triceps
Primary
triceps
chestshoulders
Secondary
None

Muscle Analysis

Shared

triceps

Only in Bench Dips

chestshoulders

Instructions

Bench Dips

1

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.

2

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.

3

Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.

4

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown

1

Start by setting a bar attachment (straight or e-z) on a high pulley machine.

2

Facing the bar attachment, grab it with the palms facing up (supinated grip) at shoulder width. Lower the bar by using your lats until your arms are fully extended by your sides. Tip: Elbows should be in by your sides and your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position.

3

Slowly elevate the bar attachment up as you inhale so it is aligned with your chest. Only the forearms should move and the elbows/upper arms should be stationary by your side at all times.

4

Then begin to lower the cable bar back down to the original staring position while exhaling and contracting the triceps hard.

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the triceps. Bench Dips is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown is beginner and uses cable. Choose Bench Dips if you have access to bodyweight, or Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown if you prefer cable. Bench Dips is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Reverse Grip Triceps Pushdown isolates the target muscle for focused development.

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