When I go to the gym, I'm surprised by the small number of members I see who take advantage of the facility's dip bars. Granted, sometimes I see a member do a set or two of a low number of reps before moving on to another area, but rarely does anyone make it a serious part of their upperbody workout routine.
For me, it's the second most important chest exercise next to bench, and the most important triceps exercise. It has definitely helped to improve my bench press, as well as my shoulder press. Initially, I performed the workouts without any additional weight (from a weight belt), before advancing to heavier weights at the advice of a former bodybuilder who urged me to treat it like any other workout to where I'm gradually adding weight.
Currently, I'm at a point now where I can perform clean dips with 3 plates. What I've noticed is that my bench and shoulder press numbers improve concurrently with my progress in dips. I don't consider it an assistance exercise but a major overlooked one.
For me, it's the second most important chest exercise next to bench, and the most important triceps exercise. It has definitely helped to improve my bench press, as well as my shoulder press. Initially, I performed the workouts without any additional weight (from a weight belt), before advancing to heavier weights at the advice of a former bodybuilder who urged me to treat it like any other workout to where I'm gradually adding weight.
Currently, I'm at a point now where I can perform clean dips with 3 plates. What I've noticed is that my bench and shoulder press numbers improve concurrently with my progress in dips. I don't consider it an assistance exercise but a major overlooked one.
