Ring and bar dips are the next topic in our discussion on how to strengthen your yoga practice off the mat. These gymnastic movements strengthen almost every upper body muscle, from the triceps to the lats, and even down to the core. Dips also build on two exercises I’ve discussed in previous posts: push ups and supports.
When approaching a ring or bar dip, be mindful of positioning and set up. Dips are compound movements requiring strength not only to stabilize but also to move your entire bodyweight.
Position is Paramount
Setup for Ring Dip
Lower the rings so that the bottom portion of the ring is in line with the top of your hips. The width of the rings should be slightly wider than the shoulders.
Setup for Bar Dips
If it is not possible to raise or lower the bars, stand on a box so you can jump to a front support. The wider the bars are, the harder this will be. If possible, adjust the width of the bars to be slightly wider than the shoulders.
5 Points of Performance of Ring or Bar Dips:
- Starting in a support, lock out your elbows and tighten your core.
- Dip by leaning slightly forward, bending your elbows and lowering your body.
- Lower down until your shoulders break parallel with your elbows. Keep pressure in the rings.
- Rise up by keeping the rings in close and straightening the elbows.
- Come back to the support position.
Left photo: correct eccentric technique; Right photo: correct bottom position.
Left photo: incorrect eccentric technique; Right photo: incorrect top position.
It is easy to strain or pull a muscle in the chest or lats when working this functional movement, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t incorporate dips into your training. You just have to be smart and mindful about how to scale. Using a resistance band is the easiest and most effective option.
Left photo: banded set up; Right photo: fully supportd top position.
Bands provide the assistance you need to perform a full ring dip, regardless of your current strength level. Choose a band that allows you to perform full movement but also challenges and builds strength in this position. Exactly which band you choose will depend of the volume of dips in the workout.
3 Workouts to Build Your Ring Dips
Warm Up:
- 100 jumping jacks
- 5 sun salutations
- 1 minute forearm plank hold
- 5 sun salutations
- 2x reverse plank
Workout #1
18 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible):
- 50 single jump rope, 20 squats, 5 push ups, 5 ring dips
Workout #2
3 RFT (rounds for time):
- 400 meter run
- 21 back stepping lunges
- 10 ring dips
Workout #3
- 5×5 ring dip (with band)
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