Exercise Comparison
Bench Dips vs Tricep Side Stretch




Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Bench Dips
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.
Tricep Side Stretch
Bring right arm across your body and over your left shoulder, holding your elbow with your left hand, until you feel a stretch in your tricep. Then repeat for your other arm.
Verdict
Both exercises target the triceps. Bench Dips is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Tricep Side Stretch is beginner and uses none. Choose Bench Dips if you have access to bodyweight, or Tricep Side Stretch if you prefer none.