Benching replaced by dips.

[AdamJames]

After many years of benching i have decided to get rid of the excercise. Being 36 years old now I want to save my shoulders. But after really concentrating on dips I like them better than benching they are more and not only a good chest workout but an overall upper body workout.

[papi93]

Just make sure to have your dip belt on hand.

[darklight79]

After many years of benching i have decided to get rid of the excercise. Being 36 years old now I want to save my shoulders. But after really concentrating on dips I like them better than benching they are more and not only a good chest workout but an overall upper body workout.

Cool, how about some sort of incline bench too?

[gogotheviking]

Lucky you, Dips **** up my shoulders much worse than bench... Then again I weight 225 pounds, don't know if that counts. That sucks, cuz I love'em

[darklight79]

Lucky you, Dips **** up my shoulders much worse than bench... Then again I weight 225 pounds, don't know if that counts. That sucks, cuz I love'em

I'm 220 or so while in the process of cutting, and i still can do weighted dips almost 100 lbs but i don't blame you. A lot of people can't go as low as Hola Bola. I can go pretty low, but not as low as him. I found the limit of my ROM when i hurt my rotator cuff once.

[ThickAsABrick]

Cool, how about some sort of incline bench too?

x2.

Unless someone has an injury that prevents it, I think it's a mistake to not keep a flat, decline or incline pressing movement (which one depends on the individual's strong/weak points).
Dips are great, but IMO, not enough to build a great chest.

[darklight79]

x2.

Unless someone has an injury that prevents it, I think it's a mistake to not keep a flat, decline or incline pressing movement (which one depends on the individual's strong/weak points).
Dips are great, but IMO, not enough to build a great chest.

Yeah, dips are a very good chest builder, but it's more like a decline benching movement that focuses on lower pecs. If the flat bench is taxing on the TS's shoulders, incline bench and dips can build a powerful chest too.

[Mike750]

I would go with some sort of incline press also, but I have bb'ing goals with gaining size and the strength that should come with it.

I guess it depends on the OP's motives. He may just want to stay in shape and isn't worried about the best shape or developement and just wants to keep up fitness.

Unless of course, he has similar goals to most of us, in which case we give the advice needed and hopefully he runs with it.

[papi93]

I would go with some sort of incline press also, but I have bb'ing goals with gaining size and the strength that should come with it.

I guess it depends on the OP's motives. He may just want to stay in shape and isn't worried about the best shape or developement and just wants to keep up fitness.

Unless of course, he has similar goals to most of us, in which case we give the advice needed and hopefully he runs with it.

Good post. Many people forget about that. Not everyone has bodybuilding goals.

[ThickAsABrick]

Good post. Many people forget about that not everyone has bodybuilding goals.

Yeah, but if someone doesn't specify that in a post than it's pretty safe to assume they do.

[papi93]

Yeah, but if someone doesn't specify that in a post than it's pretty safe to assume they do.

Assume nothing.

[Mike750]

Sometimes, I think they should have a small section under out username somewhere that enables everyone to put their goals in a word or two so that everyone else can see at a glance what the person is here for in terms of advice.

*looks for bb.com suggestion box*

[RU4A69]

x2.

Unless someone has an injury that prevents it, I think it's a mistake to not keep a flat, decline or incline pressing movement (which one depends on the individual's strong/weak points).
Dips are great, but IMO, not enough to build a great chest.

X3. Incline DB press + Dips is about all ya need. They're also 2 of the "most fun" lifts.

[rockhuddy]

Lucky you, Dips **** up my shoulders much worse than bench... Then again I weight 225 pounds, don't know if that counts. That sucks, cuz I love'em

Me too. Since I learned how to bench properly, my shoulders like that a lot more than dips.

And as for imbalances, yes dips without incline presses will neglect the upper chest. But unless you're planning on competing, who cares? You'll still develop a big, thick chest along with good tris and delts from doing dips.

[AdamJames]

I would go with some sort of incline press also, but I have bb'ing goals with gaining size and the strength that should come with it.

I guess it depends on the OP's motives. He may just want to stay in shape and isn't worried about the best shape or developement and just wants to keep up fitness.

Unless of course, he has similar goals to most of us, in which case we give the advice needed and hopefully he runs with it.

Good point I should be more specific. As of now I no longer am in that bodybuilding stage or worried about gaining size. For me now its staying fit and lean. I was about 195 3 months ago now I am about 178 but would like to get to 170. I am 5'11". I just feel more healthy and quicker around 170 -175. I love working out but now its just to be fit and healthy.

[gogotheviking]

Me too. Since I learned how to bench properly, my shoulders like that a lot more than dips.

And as for imbalances, yes dips without incline presses will neglect the upper chest. But unless you're planning on competing, who cares? You'll still develop a big, thick chest along with good tris and delts from doing dips.

Yeah, I concentrate on good form DB Incline and Flat Presses, and my shoulders are thanking me, although I might try again at dips in the future, as I believe they are a great exercice and fun too. I'm working on my shoulders now and that helps. Never forget external rotations!!!

[thejarod]

I've started doing dips too but I did weighted pushups previously instead of benching since I work out alone at home. I really need to get a proper dip belt, right now I'm using a backpack but I don't think it will hold up for that much more weight before breaking...

I'm wondering if dips and military presses are enough for chest development?

[rockhuddy]

I'm wondering if dips and military presses are enough for chest development?

Yes, but they won't result in a good competition physique because the upper chest will be neglected. You'll still look good, but if you want better balance then dips and incline presses are a better idea.