FIXITFIXITOpen App

💪 Tricep Dips

Tricep Dips are an intermediate upper body exercise that targets the triceps, lower chest, and anterior deltoid. Support your bodyweight on parallel bars and lower yourself by bending your elbows. A powerful tricep and chest builder. They're used to build strength and support general conditioning. Below is how to perform Tricep Dips with correct form, plus the benefits, common mistakes, and how many reps to aim for.

Upper BodyIntermediateDip Station3 × 10

Benefits of the Tricep Dips

  • Strengthens and activates the triceps, lower chest, and anterior deltoid
  • Improves strength
  • Great for general conditioning and everyday strength
  • Can be done with simple equipment (dip station)
  • Performed standing, so it's easy to set up

How to do the Tricep Dips

  1. Grip the dip bars and support yourself with straight arms
  2. Keep your body upright (lean forward slightly for more chest activation)
  3. Lower yourself by bending your elbows until upper arms are parallel to the floor
  4. Push back up to the starting position
  5. Keep your elbows close to your body

How many reps & sets

A common starting point is 3 sets of 10 reps. Progress gradually and stop if you feel sharp pain.

Form tips

  • Don't go too deep — stop when upper arms are parallel
  • Keep your core tight and legs still
  • Cross your ankles behind you for stability
  • If too hard, use an assisted dip machine or bench dips

Muscles worked

Triceps, Lower Chest, Anterior Deltoid

When to be cautious

  • Shoulder pain
  • Elbow injury

Who should do the Tricep Dips?

Tricep Dips are well suited to intermediate exercisers looking to strengthen the upper body and improve strength as part of general conditioning.

Tricep Dips — FAQ

What muscles do Tricep Dips work?
Tricep Dips primarily target the triceps, lower chest, and anterior deltoid.
How many sets and reps of Tricep Dips should I do?
A common starting point is 3 sets of 10 reps. Progress gradually and stop if you feel sharp pain.
Do I need equipment for Tricep Dips?
You'll need: dip station.
When should I avoid Tricep Dips?
Take care or skip them if you have: shoulder pain and elbow injury. When in doubt, check with your physiotherapist.
Track this exercise with AI form scoring

Get FIXIT free — follow guided demos, record your reps, and get instant AI feedback on your form.

Start free →

Related Upper Body exercises

Reverse FlyBicep CurlBench PressOverhead PressBarbell RowLat Pulldown

We collect and process your data to provide health tracking and AI-powered exercise analysis. Your data is stored securely in Toronto, Canada.

Learn More