Never overlook these exercises.
Building an aesthetic physique is a goal that every bodybuilder should aspire to. Not everyone is capable of packing on as much muscle as a Phil Heath or a Kai Greene. Most people will only reach a certain level of muscle growth. If you’re a fan of mass monsters and wish to aspire to that body type, go for it. Track your macros closely, get that pump and get some gains. But if you’re genetically incapable of doing such a thing, which let’s face it most of are, then you’re probably going to have to settle for building an aesthetic, if not massively muscled, physique.
For most men and some women, building the upper body is a priority, not solely for aesthetics but for functional strength as well. Core strength is paramount for any athlete. Whether you’re looking to swing a golf club or build a massive chest, the core of your body plays a major role in perform the even the most simplest of actions. The core of your body is like an engine and working it can improve upon your overall fitness. But since building muscle is definitely your priority, you should definitely use these two methods for building a strong upper body: dips and pull ups.
What makes these two so special? Well let’s dissect it.
Works Multiple Muscle Groups
Dips and pull ups are great for working more than one muscle group. The dip is essentially a pushing exercise that can not only work your chest, but your triceps and delts as well. The pull up works your back, specifically the lats in the upper quadrant. Pull ups are also great for working your biceps. The whole key to maximizing the potential of each exercise is to utilize proper form and technique. If you swing your legs while doing pull ups to much of the focus will be shifted to your arms doing all the work rather than your lats. By focusing on keeping your legs steady it can essentially work your lower body as well. The dips can work your chest from different angles and, depending on how deep your reps are, can either completely focus on your pecs or multiple different muscle groups for an overall upper body workout.
They Are Versatile
As athletes we are always looking to master a particular workout or technique. With pull ups and dips, the possibility of mastery near impossible. What does that mean exactly? Well, of course it’s possible to master the form and technique of the exercises, but they’re also very versatile. If bodyweight dips and pull ups start to lose their luster, then you can always switch to using chains or a weighted vest or belt to further challenge yourself. Once your strength level grows you can challenge yourself by setting personal rep records. No matter how you look at it, there are always different ways to make pull ups and dips new and fresh.
Are dips and pull ups apart of your workout regimen? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
