Dips tough on shoulders: pick something else?

[schnauzers]

I'm trying to pick two assistance exercises for triceps for my next GBR cycle. Last time I used lying cambered bar extensions and CGBP. I want to keep the CGBP and would like to add dips.

BUT, dips make my shoulders cranky and I can't do them without assistance yet (at least not with a full ROM for 12-15 reps).

Should I just not attempt the dips at all? Or do I just need to toughen up and maybe build the strength to be able to do them and my shoulders will adapt? Any way to do them that's more shoulder-friendly?

[UTCFitness]

I'm trying to pick two assistance exercises for triceps for my next GBR cycle. Last time I used lying cambered bar extensions and CGBP. I want to keep the CGBP and would like to add dips.

BUT, dips make my shoulders cranky and I can't do them without assistance yet (at least not with a full ROM for 12-15 reps).

Should I just not attempt the dips at all? Or do I just need to toughen up and maybe build the strength to be able to do them and my shoulders will adapt? Any way to do them that's more shoulder-friendly?

Dips with rings feel better on my shoulders. You could try doing pushups on rings adding weight until you're strong enough to do dips.

[schnauzers]

We don't have rings

[-Lucifer]

Tate press
JM press

[schnauzers]

Tate press looking interesting though I wonder how kind it would be to my elbows and shoulders.

JM press doesn't really appeal as I'm looking for something to do without having to use a bar.

[-Lucifer]

JM press doesn't really appeal as I'm looking for something to do without having to use a bar.

Diamond pushups.

[GeneralSerpant]

Form correction was crucial for me, as far as you're describing with shoulders.

Are they bench dips or inline? Are you focusing on triceps or chest?

[schnauzers]

Diamond pushups.

I could try that. Haven't done push ups in a long time! Would these be better than, say, a French press or a cable rope pushdown?

Form correction was crucial for me, as far as you're describing with shoulders.

Are they bench dips or inline? Are you focusing on triceps or chest?

I was thinking parallel bar dips on the weight assist machine. I'm looking for a triceps isolation exercise. Got CGBP on one day and need something for the other upper body day.

[Tommy W.]

Just go down far enough on dips where they don't hurt your shoulders. As you gan strength you can go a little deeper until you're where you need to be.

[schnauzers]

Just go down far enough on dips where they don't hurt your shoulders. As you gan strength you can go a little deeper until you're where you need to be.

I can try that too if reduced ROM is still worthwhile.

Maybe my form just royally sucks. What vids would you guys recommend show form the best or discuss how to avoid poor shoulder positioning?

[-Lucifer]

Diamond pushups will work all three heads hard. Not sure about pushdowns and French presses [long head emphasis].

[Tommy W.]

I can try that too if reduced ROM is still worthwhile.

Maybe my form just royally sucks. What vids would you guys recommend show form the best or discuss how to avoid poor shoulder positioning?

You want to tuck your chin to your chest and have your feet below your head and concentrate on using your pecs to push back up. Once you get your mind involved your form will correct itself

[GeneralSerpant]

One thing I had to do was make sure my shoulders were able to suspend my body securely on the bars. My first several reps start with minimal rom, and ramp up to somewhere below parallel.

I don't really feel it in my pecs, but there are muscles in my chest region that are bringing the arms in. It helps me to let my elbows flare, instead of angling them straight behind me.