Tricep Dip Vs Chest Dip: What is the difference between the two?
When planning an upper body workout routine there is one exercise that finds a place in everyone's list and that is a dip. Whether it is a tricep dip or chest dip, it is hard to miss out on this exercise. Dips is a compound bodyweight exercise that works on a large group of muscles at the same time. But the most common debate among fitness enthusiasts is what is better - chest dips or tricep dips?
What are dips?
To get the answer to this question, first, it is important to know a little more about dips. Dips are generally performed using a bar. It is a pair of a semicircular elevated bar and one has to stand in between the two bars and lift up and lower themselves down. There are many different types of dips you can try your hands on. It all comes down to who has more strength and who is willing to push their limits. Dips can be used for both targeting your chest as well as tricep muscles. You just have to make little changes in your angles and arm position for that.
Dips for triceps
Triceps dips help you target the triceps brachii muscle, which runs at the back of your arms. Besides, your delts, pecs, lats, rhomboids and levator scapulae assist to carry out the move perfectly.
To do this exercise, you have to suspend your body between the two bars with your arms locked out and feet crossed behind your body. Lean slightly forward, keeping your elbows locked and at the same time allow your legs to move away from the body. Bend your arms so that your elbows and your forearms are at a 90-degree angle. Now flex the triceps, extend your arms back until they are locked out straight and you feel the muscles of your arms stretching. Repeat the exercise.
Dips for chest
In chest dips, the focus is on the pectoralis major muscle, which is the largest muscle of the chest. Other than this, your delts, triceps, the clavicular attachment of the pec major, pec minor, lats, rhomboids, levator scapulae and teres plays a major role in performing the exercise.
Start in the same position. Your hands should be on the bars supporting your weight. Turn your elbows away from your body so that they point outwards. Your feet should be folded behind your back, your knees should be in line with the body. Take your body lower and keep your elbows out, stretching the chest until your upper arms and forearms make 90 degrees. Now flex the chest and lift the body back to the starting position. When you reach the starting position do so try not to lock the elbows and keep your arms out.
Which one is better?
Both triceps dips and chest dips help you target different muscles. They are performed with bars and the steps are more or less the same. You can include both in your workout routine for a more proportionate and sculpted upper body.