Parallel Bar Dips

Parallel Bar Dips

Support yourself with your arms straight and your torso hanging down from your shoulders:

- Inhale and bend your elbows to allow your body to sing as far down between the bars as possible

- Reverse the motion and return to the starting point, exhaling as you complete the movement

The more you bend forward, the more your work the pectorals. Conversely, the more you straighten your torso, the more you involve the triceps.

This exercise is excellent for stretching the pectoralis major and increasing the flexibility of the pectoral girdle. However, it is not recommended to beginner because it requires sufficient strength. To that purpose, use the machine to master the technique.

Sets of 10 to 20 reps give the best results. To gain more power and size, experienced athletes can hand a dumbbell between their legs or place barbell plates around their waist.

Note: always perform the dips carefully to avoid traumatizing the shoulder joint.