10 Best Dip Machine Alternatives for Triceps Strength

Ranked Dip Machine Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dip Machine on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Reverse Dip

   79% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the triceps with bodyweight alone.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
   2. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
   3. Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: standing, not hanging
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
2. 

   2. Bench Dips

   77% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. For this exercise you will need to place a bench behind your back. With the bench perpendicular to your body, and while looking away from it, hold on to the bench on its edge with the hands fully extended, separated at shoulder width. The legs will be extended forward, bent at the waist and perpendicular to your torso. This will be your starting position.
   2. Slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows until you lower yourself far enough to where there is an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Forearms should always be pointing down.
   3. Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: seated, not hanging
3. 

   3. Dips - Triceps Version

   76% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. To get into the starting position, hold your body at arm's length with your arms nearly locked above the bars.
   2. Now, inhale and slowly lower yourself downward. Your torso should remain upright and your elbows should stay close to your body. This helps to better focus on tricep involvement. Lower yourself until there is a 90 degree angle formed between the upper arm and forearm.
   3. Then, exhale and push your torso back up using your triceps to bring your body back to the starting position.
   4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: hanging, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
4. Play demonstration

   4. Ring Dips

   75% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by hanging from the rings with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
   2. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your shoulders are below your elbows.
   3. Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: a suspension trainer, not a machine
   • Body position: standing, not hanging
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
5. Play demonstration

   5. Chest Dip

   72% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the pectorals rather than the triceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Position yourself on parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
   2. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your shoulders are below your elbows.
   3. Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, not triceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: hanging, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
6. Play demonstration

   6. Elbow Dips

   70% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
   2. Slide your hips forward off the bench and straighten your legs, keeping your heels on the ground.
   3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
   4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: standing, not hanging
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
7. Play demonstration

   7. Impossible Dips

   59% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body suspended in the air.
   2. Bend your knees and cross your ankles.
   3. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
   4. Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: inverted, not hanging
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
8. Play demonstration

   8. Stalder Press

   59% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended overhead.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and engage your core.
   3. Lower your body down into a squat position while keeping your arms extended overhead.
   4. As you squat down, press your arms down towards the ground, engaging your triceps.
   5. Pause for a moment at the bottom of the squat, then push through your heels to stand back up while simultaneously raising your arms back overhead.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: inverted, not hanging
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
9. Play demonstration

   9. Triceps Dip

   50% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
   2. Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
   3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
   4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: hanging, the same as the Dip Machine
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine
10. Play demonstration

    10. Handstand

    46% match

    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Find an open space with enough room to perform a handstand.
    2. Place your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
    3. Kick your legs up towards the wall, using your core and shoulders to maintain balance.
    4. Once in a handstand position, engage your triceps to support your body weight.
    5. Hold the handstand for as long as you can maintain balance.
    6. To come down, slowly lower your legs back to the ground.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, 3 sets.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: triceps, the same as the Dip Machine
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
    • Body position: inverted, not hanging
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dip Machine