Impossible Dips
Learn how to do the Impossible Dips with proper form and technique. This body weight exercise primarily targets your Triceps, with secondary emphasis on Chest, Shoulders.
How to Do the Impossible Dips
Follow these steps to perform the Impossible Dips with correct form:
- 1Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body suspended in the air.
- 2Bend your knees and cross your ankles.
- 3Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
- 4Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- 5Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Impossible Dips Muscles Worked
Primary
Secondary
Exercise Details
- Equipment
- body weight
- Body Part
- upper arms
- Category
- Extended
Recovery & Training Frequency
- Recommended Recovery Time
- 1–2 days
- Weekly Frequency
- 2–4 sessions per week
- Why
- Small muscles like the biceps, triceps, and calves have a limited cross-sectional area and are already engaged during compound pulling and pressing. They typically recover in 24–48 h, making 2–4 direct sessions per week feasible (Israetel, 'Scientific Principles of Strength Training').
Sets & Reps by Goal
Strength
- Sets
- 3–4
- Reps
- 5–8
- Rest
- 90–120 s
Isolation movements can be trained with moderate loads for strength, though peak strength expression is secondary to compound lifts.
Hypertrophy
- Sets
- 3–5
- Reps
- 10–20
- Rest
- 45–90 s
Isolation exercises shine in the 10–20 rep range with a 2-second eccentric. Taking the final set close to failure drives maximum hypertrophic stimulus.
Endurance
- Sets
- 2–4
- Reps
- 20–30
- Rest
- 20–45 s
Light-load, high-rep isolation work is useful for rehab, joint health, and pump-focused training.
Which Workout Splits Include Impossible Dips?
Based on the muscles this exercise targets, it fits naturally into these training splits and day types:
Push / Pull / Legs
Push Day
Upper / Lower
Upper Day
Full Body
Any session
Bro Split
Arms Day
Not sure which split is right for you? Cora builds personalised training plans that match your schedule and goals. Learn more about progressive overload.
Related Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does the Impossible Dips work?
The Impossible Dips primarily targets your Triceps. Secondary muscles worked include Chest, Shoulders. This makes it an effective exercise for developing your upper arms.
Do I need equipment for the Impossible Dips?
No. The Impossible Dips is a bodyweight exercise that requires no equipment. You can perform it anywhere with enough space.
How do I perform the Impossible Dips with proper form?
Start by Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body suspended in the air. Bend your knees and cross your ankles. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground. Focus on controlled movement throughout the entire range of motion. See the full step-by-step instructions above for complete form guidance.
How often should I do the Impossible Dips?
For most people, allow 1–2 days between sessions targeting the same muscle group. That translates to 2–4 sessions per week. Small muscles like the biceps, triceps, and calves have a limited cross-sectional area and are already engaged during compound pulling and pressing. They typically recover in 24–48 h, making 2–4 direct sessions per week feasible (Israetel, 'Scientific Principles of Strength Training').
What are the best sets and reps for the Impossible Dips?
It depends on your goal. For strength: 3–4 sets of 5–8 with 90–120 s rest. For hypertrophy (muscle growth): 3–5 sets of 10–20 with 45–90 s rest. For endurance: 2–4 sets of 20–30 with 20–45 s rest.
Which workout splits is the Impossible Dips best for?
The Impossible Dips fits well into the following training splits: Push / Pull / Legs (Push Day), Upper / Lower (Upper Day), Full Body (Any session), Bro Split (Arms Day). It is classified as a push, upper movement.
Track Impossible Dips in Cora
Cora creates AI-powered workout plans that adapt to your recovery. Log exercises, track progress, and get personalized coaching.
Download Cora for iOS