PURPOSE OF EXERCISE: To develop the
thickness of the triceps, especially
around the elbow.
Dips are often thought of as a chest
exercise, but they can be done in such a
way as to hit the triceps really hard as
well.
EXECUTION: (1) Taking hold of the
parallel bars, raise yourself up and lock
out your arms. (2) As you bend your
elbows and lower yourself between the
bars, try to stay as upright as possible—
the more you lean back, the more you
work the triceps; the more you bend
forward, the more you work the
pectorals. From the bottom of the
movement, press yourself back up until
your arms are locked out, then give an
extra flex of the triceps to increase the
contraction. You can also increase the
effort involved in this exercise by using
a weight hooked around your waist and
by coming up only about three-quarters
of the way rather than locking out the
movement and taking the tension off the
triceps.
