Triceps exercise · body weight
Elbow Dips
The elbow dips is a bodyweight exercise that targets the triceps, with the chest and shoulders assisting.
- Target muscle
- Triceps
- Also works
- Chest, shoulders
- Equipment
- Body weight
- Body part
- Upper arms
How to do the elbow dips
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
- Slide your hips forward off the bench and straighten your legs, keeping your heels on the ground.
- Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps
Start with 3 sets of 10–15 reps, resting 45–60 seconds. When every set feels easy, add reps, slow the lowering phase or move to a harder variation.
Muscles worked
The main muscle is the triceps. The chest and shoulders work as secondary muscles. See all triceps exercises or every bodyweight exercise.







