Yesterday's post focused on the pull up bar. Dip bars are the perfect complement to this. It allows only a narrow range of exercises and in particular the horizontal bar dip.
Yet it is extremely difficult to replicate this exercise in any other way. A dip is effectively a vertical push up and really hits the tricep muscles as well as the pectorals (the angle of your body will determine the ratio - the more you lean forward into the dip the more it takes the ratio in favour of the pecs).
Beginners will use bench dips to begin with to build up their triceps to allow them to progress to full dips. Yet the bench dip can put a strain on the shoulder joint if overdone. Thee same might be said of the full dip although this can be alleviated by moving your body forwards so that your chest muscles are doing more of the work.
In their simplest form you can buy outright dip bars which fasten (permanently) to the wall. The construction of the wall, location and strength of the bars need to be carefully considered before fixing!
Alternatively you can now buy purpose built dip apparatus which is free standing. This is still quite a pricey option.
If you have the room then my recommended option for home training is a dip and pull up tower, which I mentioned yesterday. This is a permanently sited piece of kit which allows both sets of exercises as well as facilitating hanging leg raises. I keep mine in my garage in a separate small matted area and it is probably my most used piece of gym equipment. I tend to super-set at the tower between pull or chin ups and then dips.
Happy training
Andy at Fitter Future
Happy training
Andy at Fitter Future
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