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Exercise Comparison

Bench Dips vs Standing Towel Triceps Extension

Bench Dips - starting position
Bench Dips - ending position
Bench Dips
beginner·Bodyweight·compound
Standing Towel Triceps Extension - starting position
Standing Towel Triceps Extension - ending position
Standing Towel Triceps Extension
beginner·Bodyweight·isolation

Side-by-Side

Bench Dips
VS
Standing Towel Triceps Extension
beginner
Level
beginner
Bodyweight
Equipment
Bodyweight
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.

Standing Towel Triceps Extension

1

To begin, stand up with both arms fully extended above the head holding one end of a towel with both hands. Your elbows should be in and the arms perpendicular to the floor with the palms facing each other while your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position.

2

Now communicate with your partner so that he/she can grip the other side of the towel to apply resistance. Keeping your upper arms close to your head (elbows in) and perpendicular to the floor, lower the resistance in a semicircular motion behind your head until your forearms touch your biceps. Tip: The upper arms should remain stationary and only the forearms should move. Breathe in as you perform this step.

3

Go back to the starting position by using the triceps to raise the towel. Breathe out as you perform this step.

4

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the triceps. Bench Dips is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Standing Towel Triceps Extension is beginner and uses bodyweight. Bench Dips is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Standing Towel Triceps Extension isolates the target muscle for focused development.

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