Exercise Comparison
Bench Dips vs Triceps Pushdown - V-Bar Attachment




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Muscle Analysis
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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.
Triceps Pushdown - V-Bar Attachment
Attach a V-Bar to a high pulley and grab with an overhand grip (palms facing down) at shoulder width.
Standing upright with the torso straight and a very small inclination forward, bring the upper arms close to your body and perpendicular to the floor. The forearms should be pointing up towards the pulley as they hold the bar. The thumbs should be higher than the small finger. This is your starting position.
Using the triceps, bring the bar down until it touches the front of your thighs and the arms are fully extended perpendicular to the floor. The upper arms should always remain stationary next to your torso and only the forearms should move. Exhale as you perform this movement.
After a second hold at the contracted position, bring the V-Bar slowly up to the starting point. Breathe in as you perform this step.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the triceps. Bench Dips is a beginner exercise using bodyweight, while Triceps Pushdown - V-Bar Attachment is beginner and uses cable. Choose Bench Dips if you have access to bodyweight, or Triceps Pushdown - V-Bar Attachment if you prefer cable. Bench Dips is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Triceps Pushdown - V-Bar Attachment isolates the target muscle for focused development.