What To Know
- The triceps are the muscles on the back of your upper arm that extend your elbow, while the chest muscles are located on the front of your chest and help you push objects away from your body.
- Both dips and pushups can help you build muscle, but dips are generally considered to be more effective for building muscle in the triceps.
Dips and pushups are two classic bodyweight exercises that target the upper body. Both exercises are effective for building strength, but they have some key differences that make them better suited for different goals. In this article, we’ll compare dips vs. pushups, so you can decide which exercise is right for you.
Which Muscles Do Dips and Pushups Target?
Dips primarily target the triceps, chest, and shoulders. The triceps are the muscles on the back of your upper arm that extend your elbow, while the chest muscles are located on the front of your chest and help you push objects away from your body. The shoulders are a group of muscles that surround your shoulder joint and help you lift your arms overhead.
Pushups, on the other hand, target a wider range of muscles, including the chest, triceps, shoulders, and back. The back muscles are located on your back and help you pull objects towards your body.
Dips vs. Pushups: Which Exercise Is Better for Building Strength?
Both dips and pushups are effective for building strength, but dips are generally considered to be more challenging than pushups. This is because dips require you to lift your entire body weight, while pushups only require you to lift about 60% of your body weight.
If you’re new to strength training, pushups are a good place to start. Once you’ve mastered pushups, you can progress to dips to challenge yourself even further.
Dips vs. Pushups: Which Exercise Is Better for Building Muscle?
Both dips and pushups can help you build muscle, but dips are generally considered to be more effective for building muscle in the triceps. This is because dips isolate the triceps more than pushups do.
If you’re looking to build muscle in your triceps, dips are a great exercise to add to your routine.
Dips vs. Pushups: Which Exercise Is Better for Burning Calories?
Dips and pushups are both great exercises for burning calories. However, dips tend to burn more calories than pushups because they require you to lift more weight.
If you’re looking to burn calories, dips are a great exercise to add to your routine.
Dips vs. Pushups: Which Exercise Is Better for Improving Functional Fitness?
Both dips and pushups are great exercises for improving functional fitness. However, pushups are generally considered to be more functional than dips because they mimic everyday movements, such as pushing yourself up from a chair or off the ground.
If you’re looking to improve your functional fitness, pushups are a great exercise to add to your routine.
Dips vs. Pushups: Which Exercise Is Right for Me?
The best exercise for you depends on your individual goals. If you’re new to strength training, pushups are a good place to start. Once you’ve mastered pushups, you can progress to dips to challenge yourself even further.
If you’re looking to build muscle in your triceps, dips are a great exercise to add to your routine.
If you’re looking to burn calories, dips are a great exercise to add to your routine.
If you’re looking to improve your functional fitness, pushups are a great exercise to add to your routine.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which exercise is harder, dips or pushups?
A: Dips are generally considered to be more challenging than pushups because they require you to lift your entire body weight.
Q: Which exercise is better for building muscle, dips or pushups?
A: Both dips and pushups can help you build muscle, but dips are generally considered to be more effective for building muscle in the triceps.
Q: Which exercise is better for burning calories, dips or pushups?
A: Dips tend to burn more calories than pushups because they require you to lift more weight.
Q: Which exercise is better for improving functional fitness, dips or pushups?
A: Pushups are generally considered to be more functional than dips because they mimic everyday movements, such as pushing yourself up from a chair or off the ground.
Q: Can I do both dips and pushups in the same workout?
A: Yes, you can do both dips and pushups in the same workout. However, if you’re new to strength training, it’s best to start with one exercise and gradually add the other exercise to your routine as you get stronger.
Q: How often should I do dips and pushups?
A: You can do dips and pushups 2-3 times per week. However, if you’re new to strength training, it’s best to start with 1-2 times per week and gradually increase the frequency as you get stronger.
Q: How many reps and sets of dips and pushups should I do?
A: The number of reps and sets you do will depend on your fitness level. If you’re new to strength training, start with 10-12 reps of each exercise for 2-3 sets. As you get stronger, you can gradually increase the number of reps and sets.
Q: What are some variations of dips and pushups?
A: There are many variations of dips and pushups that you can do to make the exercises more challenging. Some popular variations include:
- Weighted dips: Add weight to your dips by wearing a weight vest or holding dumbbells in your hands.
- Incline pushups: Place your hands on an elevated surface, such as a bench or a chair, to make pushups more challenging.
- Decline pushups: Place your feet on an elevated surface, such as a bench or a chair, to make pushups easier.
- Plyometric pushups: Add a jump to your pushups to make them more explosive.
