Kozushi
Level 7 Valued Member
My thought was, while starting deadlifting being inspired by PTTP a few years back, that dips are almost exactly the completely reverse movement of deadlifts. Thus, they must be good for relaxing and stretching out the body in the opposite direction. By tensing these opposing strength chains through the body I suppose we're relaxing the deadlifting pulling chains of strength, and this has to be good. Also, as we know, we need the stabilizer muscles for any lift, so strengthening these stabilizers has to help with deadlifting.Dips are an interesting exercise. They are essentially a press if you think about it. I began doing them for the first time in my life a few months ago, only as a "variety" exercise, and like them. I sometimes do a few, bodyweight only, as a warmup before I do my presses, which are currently 1-arm, 2-leg pushups.
Would they be my ideal as a mate for the barbell deadlift in minimalist program? I still favor a one-armed press but, that said, I like the idea of dips paired with barbell deadlifts, and I will have to give that a try sometime. Thank you for the idea.
-S-
Deadlifting is a big, freeweight pull, and dips are a big bodyweight push. Basically exactly opposite.