Answers (11)
4
Hi Robin,
the triceps dip has as much to do with shoulder stabilization as with the triceps. After all, the long head of the triceps attaches to the scapula. I would begin looking there for instability. The body often protects itself by not doing what it cannot.
On the other hand: you describe her as 'quite overweight', and that can mean that even the portion of her body weight is still too much for her. In that case, there is really no reason to frustrate her by asking something that is not a good option yet.
Personally, I rarely have my clients do triceps dips because of the impact on the shoulder. To me, it's one of those exercises that are not for every body.
Karin Singleton
www.KarinSingleton.com
the triceps dip has as much to do with shoulder stabilization as with the triceps. After all, the long head of the triceps attaches to the scapula. I would begin looking there for instability. The body often protects itself by not doing what it cannot.
On the other hand: you describe her as 'quite overweight', and that can mean that even the portion of her body weight is still too much for her. In that case, there is really no reason to frustrate her by asking something that is not a good option yet.
Personally, I rarely have my clients do triceps dips because of the impact on the shoulder. To me, it's one of those exercises that are not for every body.
Karin Singleton
www.KarinSingleton.com
1
It could just be the orthopedic angles. Being overweight doesn't help. A triceps dip is a tough exercise. It's why gymnasts rely on it. But your client is not a gymnast. Just focus on the exercises that target the triceps. As you know, there are lots. With time, as you help her achieve a healthy weight, she may be able to complete a triceps dip with no problem.
1
Hi Robin,
My first few questions for you are 1. Does she have any shoulder injury or impingement? and 2. Is the exercise itself really necessary when there are other ways to strengthen the triceps (that are safer for the shoulder)? 3. Are you having her do body weight dips from free standing bars, sitting on a bench, or with an assisted machine?
If you are trying to have her do full body weight tricep dips, it may be too much for her, and they can place additional stain on her shoulder. They may not be the best exercise for her (I personally am not a fan of tricep dips for this reason). If she does not have any shoulder issues, you could modify the exercise by having her try them with her feet on the floor first and hands on a step/bench. She would have less body weight to start, and better control over her body versus free standing bars.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Christine
My first few questions for you are 1. Does she have any shoulder injury or impingement? and 2. Is the exercise itself really necessary when there are other ways to strengthen the triceps (that are safer for the shoulder)? 3. Are you having her do body weight dips from free standing bars, sitting on a bench, or with an assisted machine?
If you are trying to have her do full body weight tricep dips, it may be too much for her, and they can place additional stain on her shoulder. They may not be the best exercise for her (I personally am not a fan of tricep dips for this reason). If she does not have any shoulder issues, you could modify the exercise by having her try them with her feet on the floor first and hands on a step/bench. She would have less body weight to start, and better control over her body versus free standing bars.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Christine
1
And I would like to apologize for the tone of the above response. I reread it again after posting it and it is not the tone I intended. I in no way wanted to convey a chastizing tone or tone of disapproval. I would definitely have worded it in a less confrontational manner if I had reread it from the point of view of a first time reader seeing the post in print without any other frame of reference. The content is valid, but the tone is not one that would make the reader receptive.
1
First of all, bravo on all of her gains!
There are very thoughtful replies above mine, which I'll try not to repeat.
If you and she decide, for whatever reason, that a tricep dip is a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based) for her, then you might need to train her much more specifically for the skill of tricep dipping. If you are training her with free weights, they're probably substantially less than the strength required to do a bodyweight triceps dip. If you're not using a dip machine that has varying weights of assistance / resistance, then you could use the 42 inch giant rubber bands looped at an appropriate height to
There are very thoughtful replies above mine, which I'll try not to repeat.
If you and she decide, for whatever reason, that a tricep dip is a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based) for her, then you might need to train her much more specifically for the skill of tricep dipping. If you are training her with free weights, they're probably substantially less than the strength required to do a bodyweight triceps dip. If you're not using a dip machine that has varying weights of assistance / resistance, then you could use the 42 inch giant rubber bands looped at an appropriate height to
1
short answer is: she is still too heavy for dips. the delts are triceps are fairly small and the weaker of the muscle complexes.
I am not surprised that she is having issues.
Dips would simply be off the menu so to speak.
I would focus your attention to accelerated weight loss and delt, tricep cable & band work so that when enough weight comes off the client can do a set of proper form dip. This will also help immensely with their self-esteem as you can make the dip a SMART goal and explain that the weight loss is the main factor. This will allow you to reinforce the POOR FOOD choices you mentioned.
Sometimes it is how you frame things. Remember the psychology of goals.
It has to seem relevant to them (goals you want them to hit like body fat %) and it has to seem attainable. The reality is we as Trainers are very highly educated consultants.
I assume you took your client on because you had shown the best path to health and in their case it was weight loss. If they show a desire to do dips because they see others doing them with ease and THE CLIENT has shown that dips are important to them....then you need to present the carrot of the dip to them. The stick (motivation) for the dip should be weight loss. Less weight to dip, easier the dip!
I am not surprised that she is having issues.
Dips would simply be off the menu so to speak.
I would focus your attention to accelerated weight loss and delt, tricep cable & band work so that when enough weight comes off the client can do a set of proper form dip. This will also help immensely with their self-esteem as you can make the dip a SMART goal and explain that the weight loss is the main factor. This will allow you to reinforce the POOR FOOD choices you mentioned.
Sometimes it is how you frame things. Remember the psychology of goals.
It has to seem relevant to them (goals you want them to hit like body fat %) and it has to seem attainable. The reality is we as Trainers are very highly educated consultants.
I assume you took your client on because you had shown the best path to health and in their case it was weight loss. If they show a desire to do dips because they see others doing them with ease and THE CLIENT has shown that dips are important to them....then you need to present the carrot of the dip to them. The stick (motivation) for the dip should be weight loss. Less weight to dip, easier the dip!
0
My questoin is why are you making tricep dips so important? First of all, the tricep dip is not a safe exercise, even for athletic exercisers. It requires not only considerable triceps strength (can she move 50% of her body weight to perform a cable triceps extension?), but stabilization of the entire shoulder/ribs/neck musculature. Second, the triceps dip places the exerciser in a high risk position for the shoulder/elbows/wrists. Is there a functional reason to have the client perform this exercise? Third, is the triceps dip superior to all other triceps/shoulder exercises in some way that makes it the best choice? Again, I don't think so. Is the client capable of performing a full push up? Have you used any progression programming to get the client to the desired ability to perform the triceps dip. Regression is more appropriate in this situation. The client has shown no ability to perform the exercise. Regressing to an exercise that can be performed and progressing from there is the professional approach to this situation.
0
Is there a seated "dips" machine at your gym? If yes, you can start from there and see how she does. If you have her do regular dips she might be afraid to do them or she might be too heavy to do BW dips. Even though I don't think dips might be the best exercise for an overweight person (for various reasons), having her do assisted dips (of any kind) might be good for her self esteem (I'm only guessing since I don't know her). Also, pushups on a bar could be another option for her if you she is not already doing them.
0
There are a lot of great suggestions above mine, here is my take on the situation.
I would figure out how important triceps dips are to her. If this is a huge goal for her I would concentrate on building the mobility and stability the movement requires. The gray institute has a lot of good info on building mobility and stability at the same time.
If the dips aren't a huge goal of hers I would just attack the triceps with other exercises.
I would figure out how important triceps dips are to her. If this is a huge goal for her I would concentrate on building the mobility and stability the movement requires. The gray institute has a lot of good info on building mobility and stability at the same time.
If the dips aren't a huge goal of hers I would just attack the triceps with other exercises.
0
Hello Robin Warnberg,
You have many good ideas. I reiterate the psychology factor/goal setting and feet on floor to take off some of the bodyweight. This is a good excuse to get in a pool with water buoyancy. I would also try dips eccentrically. Make sure the scapulae are stacked/packed in place properly; that makes a difference.
Take care,
Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit.
You have many good ideas. I reiterate the psychology factor/goal setting and feet on floor to take off some of the bodyweight. This is a good excuse to get in a pool with water buoyancy. I would also try dips eccentrically. Make sure the scapulae are stacked/packed in place properly; that makes a difference.
Take care,
Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit.
