Push Up vs Dips
Which one fits your Chest workout plan?
Contents
Push Up is the easier place to start — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 4. Compare Chest form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Push Up and Dips and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.
Push Up vs Dips: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Push Up more often — 5,907 sessions compared to 5,011 for Dips.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Push Up and Dips differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Push Up and Dips Differ
| What differs | Push Up | Dips |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a dip bar |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 5,907 sessions | 5,011 sessions |
How to Do Push Up
Push Up Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Please lower yourself until your chest is just about to touch the floor.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Engage your chest and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please go down only as much as you can without straining your shoulders.
- 2. Keep your core engaged to prevent your hips from dropping.
For a full Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Push Up exercise guide.
How to Do Dips
Dips Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Please slowly lower down while keeping your shoulders fixed down.
- 2. If you go down too much, you might injure your shoulders, so please gradually increase your range of motion.
- 3. Return to the starting position while engaging your core.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you are significantly overweight, it may put strain on your shoulders, so please substitute with other exercises.
- 2. Be careful not to go down too much, as it can injure your shoulders.
For a full Dips guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dips exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Push Up or Dips?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Chest, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Push Up and Dips need?
Push Up needs bodyweight only, and Dips needs a dip bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Push Up is the easier place to start. Move to Dips once your form holds up.
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