Old Forum Dips v pushups

[Matt]

At the moment I do heavy weighted dips as the only movement for tricep/shoulder/chest focus.  Yet was wondering if there is an (better) alternative - thinking the pushup?  I know it is maybe more chest intensive than the dip? Thinking it could be done weighted (probably need more weight as there is less bodyweight involvement) - the pushup would allow more variation with handplacements.  Different core stabilisation perhaps, less back/trap involvement than the dip?

I remember in one of Pavel's books the Russians rate the dip quite highly - pushup not mentioned, yet it seems the one-arm version is a measure of strength in this community (correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[AndyMcL]

Matt,

Dips are great. So are push ups. As you noticed, loading weighted push ups is very difficult, and requires a lot of plates to get enough of a strength stimulus. One arm push ups are likely a better progression.

 

[SpearMan]

Do 'em both.  I like to use dips with more of a focus on the tricep and pushups for the chest.

 

[StrengthIsLife1989]

They're both great. And you can always make the pushup harder with more advanced variations. The one arm pushup is a true test of strength and the planche is insanely tough. No reason why you can't do both

 

[Matt]

I was thinking one arm pushups so thanks for the suggestion.  Yet I think I could crank one out now - a bit messy, but still.  So would have to make it strict - then ?  I like dips, but if I didn't have a dip "station" would be a bit lost.  Could do the seated version, but never have rated them.

 

[AndyMcL]

Regarding dips: two chairs/stools works pretty well, though might not want to weight them too heavy.

 

 

[ericbugenhagen]

Matt,

weighted pushups are fantastic but are waaaaaay too difficult to set up. Unless you have a training partner, your workout will suffer due to the time you'll spend trying to put weight on your back. Now, if youre only talking about a 25lb or 45lb plate, its not too bad but anything more than that and it's gonna feel like sh*t. Dips are frickin awesome because you can load the crap out of them. As long as you have a loading pin and a weight belt, you can pretty much dip unlimited weight. Trust me, some things aren't worth the hassle such as weighted pushups

 

[Matt]

Thanks for the heads up Andy and Eric - I've seen the two-stools setup end in tears! 

The strict one-arm pushup (one leg one arm) would be a good goal and useful, so might give that a go for a  few months.

 

[Pavel]

Matt, if you can safely do dips, you do not need any other presses.  Just add weight.

Still do some get-ups for shoulder health.

 

[Matt]

Thank Pavel for the advice - fortunately I have no issues with dips! so will keep doing them. For some reason they feel good when grinding out a heavy rep slow-mo. Like grinding out a DL max.
Interesting you mention getups. I do them, yet the shoulder aspect of them seems to be my weak link at the moment.

 

[Ronin]

weighted dips are one of my favorite things for developing tri's and lower pecs.  pushups activate tri's too, but (depending on hand placement) focus more on the pec major.