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Bench Dip with heels on Floor
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Bench Dip with heels on Floor

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How to Perform

  1. Sit on the edge of a bench or sturdy chair, placing your hands beside your hips with fingers pointing forward and gripping the edge.
  2. Extend your legs straight out in front of you with your heels planted firmly on the floor, creating a straight line from your heels to your head.
  3. 3. Slide your hips forward off the bench while supporting your body weight with your hands, maintaining the heel-planted position.
  4. Inhale as you slowly lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping them pointing directly behind you (not flaring outward).
  5. Lower until your elbows reach about 90 degrees or until you feel a good stretch in your triceps and shoulders.
  6. Exhale as you press through your palms to straighten your arms, returning to the starting position with control
  7. Keep your shoulders pulled back and down away from your ears throughout the exercise to reduce neck strain and maximize tricep engagement.
  8. Maintain a strong core by drawing your navel toward your spine, preventing excessive lower back arching. 

Important information

  • Keep your elbows pointing directly behind you, not flaring outward, to maximize triceps engagement and protect your shoulders.
  • Position your hands shoulder-width apart or slightly wider for optimal stability and to prevent wrist strain.
  • Keep your heels planted on the floor throughout the entire movement - do not lift your feet or bend your knees.
  • If you experience wrist discomfort, try using push-up handles or gripping the bench with a slightly wider hand position.
  • For beginners, keep the movement controlled and focus on form; advanced practitioners can add weight by placing a plate on their lap.
  • Your body should move in a straight vertical path - avoid drifting too far forward or backward during the movement.

Exercise Details

Primary Muscles

Triceps Pecs Front Delts

Muscle Groups

Arm exercises Chest exercises Shoulder exercises

Mechanic

Compound

Risk Areas

Triceps Pecs Front Delts

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The Bench Dip with Heels on Floor is a great upper body exercise that works your triceps (the muscles on the back of your arms) along with your chest and front shoulder muscles. It's perfect for people who want to build stronger, more defined arms without needing a gym membership or fancy equipment.

What makes this exercise so popular is how simple it is to do. All you need is a sturdy bench, chair, or couch edge, and you use your own body weight to create the workout. This exercise is especially good because you can make it easier or harder as you get stronger - beginners can start with shorter movements, while more experienced people can add weight or change the angle.

This exercise is fantastic for building the tricep muscles that give your arms that toned, defined look. It targets all parts of your triceps, which helps create better overall arm shape and strength. Many people love adding this to their workout routine because it really helps sculpt the back of the arms.

You'll often see this exercise in quick, intense workouts because it gets your heart pumping while building muscle at the same time. This makes it perfect for busy people who want to get the most out of their limited workout time.

Strong triceps aren't just about looking good: they help with everyday activities like pushing heavy doors, lifting objects overhead, or even getting up from chairs. The exercise also works your shoulders and chest, which can help improve your posture and make daily tasks easier.

While the Bench Dip with Heels on Floor looks simple, doing it correctly and gradually making it more challenging is key to seeing results. It's proof that you don't need complicated equipment or expensive gym memberships to get an effective workout - sometimes the simplest exercises are the most powerful when done consistently and with good form.

FAQ - Bench Dip with heels on Floor

What muscles does the Bench Dip with Heels on Floor work?

The Bench Dip with Heels on Floor primarily targets your triceps (the muscles on the back of your arms), while also working your chest and front shoulders. It's excellent for building stronger, more defined arms and improving your pushing strength for everyday activities.

How can I modify the Bench Dip with Heels on Floor for different fitness levels?

Beginners can bend their knees more or use a lower surface to reduce difficulty. You can also do smaller range of motion until you build strength. Advanced users can add weight by placing a plate or dumbbell on their lap, or use a higher bench to increase the challenge.

Is the Bench Dip with Heels on Floor safe for people with shoulder issues?

This exercise can be hard on shoulders if you have existing problems or go too low. If you have shoulder issues, start with a very small range of motion and stop if you feel pain. Consider alternatives like wall push-ups or tricep extensions until your shoulders are healthier. Always consult a healthcare professional if you're unsure.

What are the most common form mistakes with this exercise?

The biggest mistakes are letting your elbows flare out to the sides (keep them pointing straight back), going too low too quickly, and not keeping your heels planted on the floor. Also avoid hunching your shoulders forward - keep them pulled back and down throughout the movement.

How many reps and sets should I perform of Bench Dips with Heels on Floor?

Beginners should start with 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps, focusing on good form. As you get stronger, you can work up to 3-4 sets of 12-20 reps. If you can easily do 20 reps, it's time to add weight or try a more challenging variation.

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Weighted Tricep Dips stand as a formidable evolution of the classic bodyweight dip, challenging even intermediate fitness enthusiasts to push their upper body development to new heights. This compound movement primarily targets the triceps brachii—those horseshoe-shaped muscles at the back of your arms—while simultaneously engaging the pectoral muscles for comprehensive upper body strength. The beauty of weighted dips lies in their versatility across training styles. In bodybuilding circles, they're revered for their ability to add impressive mass and definition to the triceps and lower chest when performed with moderate weight and controlled tempo. Meanwhile, HIIT enthusiasts incorporate lighter weighted variations with higher repetitions to simultaneously build strength and elevate cardiovascular output during intense circuit training. What sets weighted dips apart from other triceps exercises is the significant mechanical tension they create through a full range of motion. The added resistance—whether from a dip belt, weighted vest, or dumbbell held between the knees—intensifies the strength-building stimulus, promoting greater muscle fiber recruitment than bodyweight versions alone. This makes them particularly effective for breaking through strength plateaus when conventional pushing movements no longer provide adequate challenge. For those serious about developing impressive arm definition, weighted dips offer unparalleled triceps activation. The exercise creates substantial time under tension through the eccentric (lowering) phase, triggering the microscopic muscle damage necessary for growth and repair. This makes them an excellent complement to pressing movements like bench press and overhead press in a comprehensive strength program. While certainly not a beginner movement, weighted dips represent a worthy progression for those who've mastered bodyweight variations and are looking to continue their strength development. The exercise's ability to simultaneously build functional pushing power while sculpting aesthetically pleasing arms and chest makes it a time-efficient choice for intermediate lifters with serious training goals.

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