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Help with dips!

post #1 of 23
11/7/08 at 6:03am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I've been progressing well with dips and am now able to do a high number of reps with ease. I was in the gym the other day doing some weighted dips with dumbbells. My current technique is to have two dumbbells standing together and I would lower myself to pick the top one off and hold it in place with my feet. I need to flex my foot up so as to prevent the dumbbell from slipping off. This is great, but I was wondering if anyone here knew of a better way to hold the dumbbells in place? I only ask coz I remember seeing a guy one time who was able to cross his feet and bend his knees. The importance here is that you can remain better balanced and be able to manage a heavier load.

Weight belts, chains are not really an option for me...

Please share if you know how to hold dumbbells in place.

Thanks,
AL
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post #2 of 23
11/7/08 at 6:09am
How about a backpack?
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post #3 of 23
11/7/08 at 6:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aleeboy View Post
Hi,

I've been progressing well with dips and am now able to do a high number of reps with ease. I was in the gym the other day doing some weighted dips with dumbbells. My current technique is to have two dumbbells standing together and I would lower myself to pick the top one off and hold it in place with my feet. I need to flex my foot up so as to prevent the dumbbell from slipping off. This is great, but I was wondering if anyone here knew of a better way to hold the dumbbells in place? I only ask coz I remember seeing a guy one time who was able to cross his feet and bend his knees. The importance here is that you can remain better balanced and be able to manage a heavier load.

Weight belts, chains are not really an option for me...

Please share if you know how to hold dumbbells in place.

Thanks,
AL

Dips are a great workout even if you are an advanced bodybuilder as it can really stretch out your chest and burn your triceps. To answer your question, the best way is to wear a belt and hook from the buckle a chain to hook up a few 20 Kg plates or a heavy dumbbell and you can feel your chest stretch and burrnn.

By contorting your body and bending your knees and thighs to hold the weight there will reduce the efficacy of the exercise.

Thank me later.

Regards
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post #4 of 23
11/7/08 at 7:46am
Buy some gymnastics rings and do dips on those, it is much more challenging because you engage all of your stabilizer muscles.
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post #5 of 23
11/7/08 at 7:57am
if you don't want to spend $$ on a dip belt, use a rope. you can only carry so much weight with your feet.. unless you're practising for a circus act, focus on the exercise.
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post #6 of 23
11/7/08 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 
I like this idea! Thanks
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post #7 of 23
11/7/08 at 9:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oneade View Post
if you don't want to spend $$ on a dip belt, use a rope. you can only carry so much weight with your feet.. unless you're practising for a circus act, focus on the exercise.

Isnt this what I said? Just substitute chain with ropes.
At least give me credit! Sheesh!
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post #8 of 23
11/7/08 at 10:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by beasty View Post
Isnt this what I said? Just substitute chain with ropes.
At least give me credit! Sheesh!

No, it's not.

You said to buy a belt while oneade said that he can use a rope instead of spending the money. How is that the same thing?

***
Anyway, at the OP, when I used to dip very heavily in college (5x5s with 3x45 pound plates) and even with lighter weight I found a specialized dip belt to be a hell of a lot more comfortable than anything else which would end up cutting into my waist. I didn't use a weight belt otherwise so the investment was worth it to me because I'd use it for chin-ups as well. Dips were also my primary chest exercise as I didn't do any bench.
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post #9 of 23
11/7/08 at 10:53am
one thing people lose sight of when working out and gain some strength is the technique of the exercise. if you slow down the motion from top to bottom and back from bottom to top you will be amazed at how difficult the dip still is.

start from the top with your elbows not locked, never lock your elbows so that stress is always on the tricep, chest, and shoulders, and go down slowly and then slowly back up. this will immediately make for a better exercise. if you are still able to do 8-12, then add the weights.

to make this really killer do some push ups right after each set.
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post #10 of 23
11/7/08 at 11:35am
I've tried crossing my ankles, holding the weight between them, but you really need to have a rope or a belt to up the weight.
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post #11 of 23
11/7/08 at 11:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumbie View Post
Anyway, at the OP, when I used to dip very heavily in college (5x5s with 3x45 pound plates) and even with lighter weight I found a specialized dip belt to be a hell of a lot more comfortable than anything else which would end up cutting into my waist. I didn't use a weight belt otherwise so the investment was worth it to me because I'd use it for chin-ups as well. Dips were also my primary chest exercise as I didn't do any bench.

I second the comfort issue. Even with a single 35 or 45 plate it manages to hurt, the belt is much more comfortable.
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post #12 of 23
11/7/08 at 11:51am
with the belt, i am able to add 4 45lb plates with no discomfort. was a good purchase and worth evey penny.
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post #13 of 23
11/7/08 at 12:17pm
I am comfortable (wearing shorts below my knees) with up to a 65lb dumbbell held in between my legs right above my knee. I put it between my legs standing by squeezing my knees together, grabbed the dips handles, and as soon as I got off the ground, crossed my feet and bent my knees a bit. its not terribly uncomfortable if your shorts are in between your legs and the handle. Obviously a weight belt will be ideal, but that worked for me (up to a point).
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post #14 of 23
11/7/08 at 9:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by unrated View Post
Buy some gymnastics rings and do dips on those, it is much more challenging because you engage all of your stabilizer muscles.

This actually sounds like a really good idea. I'm gonna try to hang some up tonight.
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post #15 of 23
11/7/08 at 9:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ludeykrus View Post
This actually sounds like a really good idea. I'm gonna try to hang some up tonight.

If you want a bunch of interesting ways to do stuff like this, visit http://www.bodyweightculture.com/
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