Dips alternatives
If the Dips isn't happening today — the equipment is taken, you don't have it, or the movement doesn't feel right — here are 8 substitutes for the same job, each with what changes.
Which one when
- You need different equipment. For the same job — Barbell: Decline Barbell Bench Press, Close-Grip Bench Press, Barbell Bench Press; Dumbbells: Decline Dumbbell Press; Machines and cables: Machine Dips.
- Same equipment, different angle or grip. If the movement feels off but the equipment is there — Close-Grip Push-Ups, Bench Dips, Triceps Dips.
- It hurts. If it's uncomfortable, try a substitute with a different grip or a machine and go lighter. Sharp pain, or pain that doesn't go away, is a reason to see a doctor, not to search for a substitute on a list.
- Different equipment: Barbell instead of Bodyweight.
- Same muscle: Chest.
- Same entry bar: 2 of 3.
- Progress by adding weight.
- Different equipment: Dumbbells instead of Bodyweight.
- Same muscle: Chest.
- A lower entry bar: 1 of 3 versus 2.
- Progress by adding weight.
- Different equipment: Barbell instead of Bodyweight.
- Most of the work goes to another group: Triceps.
- Same entry bar: 2 of 3.
- Progress by adding weight.
- Equipment: Bodyweight.
- Most of the work goes to another group: Triceps.
- An isolation move: one joint works, so it's easier to finish the muscle off.
- A lower entry bar: 1 of 3 versus 2.
- Equipment: Bodyweight.
- Most of the work goes to another group: Triceps.
- An isolation move: one joint works, so it's easier to finish the muscle off.
- A lower entry bar: 1 of 3 versus 2.
- Equipment: Bodyweight.
- Most of the work goes to another group: Triceps.
- An isolation move: one joint works, so it's easier to finish the muscle off.
- Same entry bar: 2 of 3.
7Machine Dips
- Different equipment: Machines and cables instead of Bodyweight.
- Most of the work goes to another group: Triceps.
- An isolation move: one joint works, so it's easier to finish the muscle off.
- Progress by adding weight.
- Different equipment: Barbell instead of Bodyweight.
- Same muscle: Chest.
- Same entry bar: 2 of 3.
- Progress by adding weight.
These are the same substitutes I show in the bot under "Alternatives", plus catalog exercises for the same muscle and movement. Difficulty is shown where I've broken the exercise down on its own page.
Swapping in the diary
In the bot, substitutes live on the exercise card: Exercises → the exercise → Alternatives. If one isn't in your list yet, I'll add it with one tap. A substitute keeps its own history and records — I don't mix them with the main exercise, so progress on each stays honest.
Log the substitute as its own exercise — I'll remember the weight and reps and give you a target next time.
Prefer Telegram? Open the bot — same diary.
Read next
Position photos from the open free-exercise-db.