Another dip related pain

[holdawayt]

Just saw the thread about dips and thought I'd ask about this..

If I'm doing unassisted dips after about 10 or so I start to get a horrible feeling near my breast bone. It feels like my ribs are moving lol weird i know. I think it could just be the muscles that don't get exercised much in my pecs but I honestly don't know. Picture an elastic band running from left lat, over left pec, over right pec then over to the right lat. When I dip it's as if that elastic band is being stretched beyond it's limits.

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Tom

[vtrlogan]

i used to get this but after watching a few other people, i found out it was because i was putting my legs up and stead off keeping body straight, the only way i can describe it is i was doing this \ when ment to be like this |,

Keeping my body straight took the stress of my chest and put it on my triceps hope that helps.

[holdawayt]

Ah ok, I'm always pulling my legs up too. But I'm a tall lad and I don't think i'd be able to dip that well with my legs straight!

[Giraffe]

Ah ok, I'm always pulling my legs up too. But I'm a tall lad and I don't think i'd be able to dip that well with my legs straight!

If you are at an angle like \ then it is going to do your chest more, but you may have the bars too close together. Dunno if there is the option to flip them out to make your grip wider, but you could try it. No real need to do more than 10 anyway though...

[vtrlogan]

can bend your knees but just focus on keeping straight

[holdawayt]

Cheers for the advice lads I'll set the bar wider and focus on keeping myself at an angle to see if it helps.

Dave - If i'm finding 10 too easy is it worth holding a dumbell between my ankles to increase resistance? I've seen a few people doing this but not sure if there's an easier option.

[Giraffe]

Cheers for the advice lads I'll set the bar wider and focus on keeping myself at an angle to see if it helps.

Dave - If i'm finding 10 too easy is it worth holding a dumbell between my ankles to increase resistance? I've seen a few people doing this but not sure if there's an easier option.

Yeah, either that or get a belt which you can attach weights to via a rope and hook type mechanism. I personally find keeping a dumbbell between my feet a bit awkward and iffy if I have to let go quick, as I don't like dropping stuff.

Basically, if you are finding anything too easy, depending on your goals of course, would be to increase the resistance as oppose to the reps. Increasing the reps will only aid your muscular endurance, increasing the weight will aid the building muscle/strength side of things.

Worth mentioning though, if you are trying to train your triceps then keep the bar close together, and as Logan says, focus on keeping upright. Only change the width of the grip and keep the \ form if you do want to train chest.

[holdawayt]

Great advice cheers!