Weighted Dips / Pull ups? + Rep Questions

[p4rad0x]

Hi guys, I just started to organize my workouts a bit and need some help. I'm new to the forum and working out in general.

Currently I have dips / pull ups in the routine I do but I was wondering if I should purchase a belt to add more weight to make the exercises more difficult?

I'm a pretty small dude and I can do about 15 pull ups with just body weight and around 40 Dips.

1. Should I add more weight to my body to make the exercises easier (And also less time consuming)

2. How many reps should I be aiming for to increase in strength / size? I do 12 for my curls , bench, squats, dips and pull ups but I have been hearing different numbers around the forum.

3. Nobody at my gym does weighted dips / pull ups ... am I going to look like a douche?

Thank you in advance!

[csfb36]

I would for sure add some weight on there, there would be no point in just benching the bar right?I stick to the same rep scheme I do with my other exercises which is 3 sets of 5 atm. Also dont think you will look like a douche for doing something nobody else does if anything they will probably be impressed.

[Mojo021]

1. Absolutely feel free to add weight. 15 pullups isnt too many but you can add weight to put your reps closer to 10.

2. 12 is fine, 8-10 may be better for you trying to put on mass... it really all depends on how your body responds. You can try to lift a little heavier w/ less reps and see how you like it.

3. People don't do it in the gym because they are afraid... mainly people avoid pullups like cancer. Adding weight is no different then putting another plate on your bench or squat. Do it and don't look back.

[DukeMan91920110]

1. You won't look like a douche. People should be jealous seeing you add weight.

2. Yes add weights. Adding hanging weights and getting adjusted to that weight will make doing them without weight easy as cake. Don't add too much though. Add enough so that you can do about 10-12 dips and 6-8 pullups.

[p4rad0x]

Thank you guys for all the advice! It's time to start looking for a weight belt now =)

I'll probably add a bit of weight and see how much I can do sticking with 8 Max reps, does that seem reasonable for pull ups / dips?

Also, how should my strength building lifting scheme work? Lift 8 reps and work my way to 10 max? How do I know when to increase the weights?

[boathead]

whatever rep max you choose, once you reach it, then add some more weight. repeat ad infinitum.

[chitown70]

Thank you guys for all the advice! It's time to start looking for a weight belt now =)

I'll probably add a bit of weight and see how much I can do sticking with 8 Max reps, does that seem reasonable for pull ups / dips?

Also, how should my strength building lifting scheme work? Lift 8 reps and work my way to 10 max? How do I know when to increase the weights?

use a dip belt...love mine....I even do donkey calf raises with it

add more weight if it starts getting easy....don't overthink this too much

[I AM STRONG]

You won't look like a douche. I'm the only one in the gym that does weighted dips and I use a 60 lb dumbell in between my feet because I don't feel like buying a belt. I've gotten complements from random people.

[Arm_Wrestler]

Definately add weight to the dips. I think your pull-up range is right where it should be, but I would work maybe every other workout (when you include pullups) with weight.

[Maxwell1995]

Hi guys, I just started to organize my workouts a bit and need some help. I'm new to the forum and working out in general.

Currently I have dips / pull ups in the routine I do but I was wondering if I should purchase a belt to add more weight to make the exercises more difficult?

I'm a pretty small dude and I can do about 15 pull ups with just body weight and around 40 Dips.

1. Should I add more weight to my body to make the exercises easier (And also less time consuming)

2. How many reps should I be aiming for to increase in strength / size? I do 12 for my curls , bench, squats, dips and pull ups but I have been hearing different numbers around the forum.

3. Nobody at my gym does weighted dips / pull ups ... am I going to look like a douche?

Thank you in advance!

1. Of course you should add weight. Don't be afraid to. It's just going to increase your gains and make you stronger.

2. I say anything between 8 and 15. Don't get too low and don't get too high. I personally used to do (before football started and I was still on a bodybuilding program) 3 sets of 12, 10, and 8. Saw pretty good gains.

3. No way man. You won't look like a douche. You'll look like the only guy who can do weighted pull ups. ^_^

4. I saw in another post of yours thanking everybody for the tips and how you were going to get an exercise belt. You don't need to wait until you get the belt. You can place a dumbbell or plate in between your feet and do pull ups like that, or you can put chains over your shoulders if you have any at your gym if you don't have the belt already. Good luck brah!

[SgSpartan]

If you're looking for strength, I think it's best to got 3-5 sets of 5 reps. Heavier weight, lower reps.

As for going weighted on your pull-ups or not, it depends on your goal. For me, I aim to be able to do more pull-ups-that means endurance as well. For me, there is more purpose for me to keep doing BW pull-ups rather than to go weighted. However, if your aim is to just to build strength and muscle, then go weighted.

Try doing 3 sets of 5 reps, increasing the weight whenever you suceed in getting your 3x5.

As for the belt, you can try doing with a dumbbell in between your knees first. See if you like weighted pull-ups in your routine. If so, go ahead and invest in a belt. Otherwise, you might want to wait. After 3 months of weighted pull-ups in my routine, I removed them. I wanted to be able to do more pull-ups, so endurance was necessary as well.

[chazzy1864]

1. Of course you should add weight. Don't be afraid to. It's just going to increase your gains and make you stronger.

2. I say anything between 8 and 15. Don't get too low and don't get too high. I personally used to do (before football started and I was still on a bodybuilding program) 3 sets of 12, 10, and 8. Saw pretty good gains.

3. No way man. You won't look like a douche. You'll look like the only guy who can do weighted pull ups. ^_^

4. I saw in another post of yours thanking everybody for the tips and how you were going to get an exercise belt. You don't need to wait until you get the belt. You can place a dumbbell or plate in between your feet and do pull ups like that, or you can put chains over your shoulders if you have any at your gym if you don't have the belt already. Good luck brah!

Excellent post, amongst others.

[Tyciol]

I was wondering if I should purchase a belt to add more weight to make the exercises more difficult? I'm a pretty small dude and I can do about 15 pull ups with just body weight and around 40 Dips.

1. Should I add more weight to my body to make the exercises easier (And also less time consuming)

I am confused here. I understand that it would be less time consuming to do fewer reps with added weight, but when you say 'make them easier' do you mean only in this regard or in some other regard? It confuses me since you describe more weight as making them simultaneously more difficult and easier...

[p4rad0x]

Thank you guys for all the advice. I tried using a DB between my feet for my pull ups and they worked great, I will see how they work in my routine for a couple of weeks.

I tried doing dips with a DB but it kept falling out of place / felt weird, but I will try it again tomorrow and see how it works out.

As for "making them easier" I actually meant the same thing as making them less time consuming, sorry for the confusion.

Thank you guys for the bundle of answers again, really appreciate it.

[matt297]

1. Should I add more weight

3. Nobody at my gym does weighted dips / pull ups ... am I going to look like a douche?

[guest89]

OP I'd add weight to both of them. I'd add enough weight to get in the 5 rep range, then every workout increase by 1 rep. Once you get a satisfactory number of reps, up the weight and drop back down to the 5 reps, work your way back up. Building both endurance and strength.

[blazing_hellion]

3. Nobody at my gym does weighted dips / pull ups ... am I going to look like a douche?

No, you'll look like a BAMF!

[chazzy1864]

Thank you guys for all the advice. I tried using a DB between my feet for my pull ups and they worked great, I will see how they work in my routine for a couple of weeks.

I tried doing dips with a DB but it kept falling out of place / felt weird, but I will try it again tomorrow and see how it works out.

As for "making them easier" I actually meant the same thing as making them less time consuming, sorry for the confusion.

Thank you guys for the bundle of answers again, really appreciate it.

When you use a DB, cross your feet, and rest the DB in the "nook" of your ankles. If the knurling on the db handle is too rough and rubs your skin raw, wrap your gym towel around it, as padding. I've held up to like 50 or 60lb dbs with no discomfort that way.

[p4rad0x]

When you use a DB, cross your feet, and rest the DB in the "nook" of your ankles. If the knurling on the db handle is too rough and rubs your skin raw, wrap your gym towel around it, as padding. I've held up to like 50 or 60lb dbs with no discomfort that way.

On the way to the gym now and will definitely try this, thanks!

[TLDR_Tuna]

Does your gym not have a dip belt?

I work out at a planet fitness and even they have one!


but i do 3x8 weighted dips and i feel like this is a great number for me. weight for dips is an awesome feeling.

[p4rad0x]

The gym I go to is full of older women who usually spend most of their time chatting and eating snacks. Only 1-2 other people who use the limited free weights that they have, so not a lot of options for me :/

That being said, at the gym now using the wifi because I forgot to bring my gym shorts and shoes. Epic fail.