I like to do dips for lats and bench press for pecs and both for triceps and I also like to do a few pushups. But, I can't do all three during the same workout because my triceps get too tired. And if I rest my triceps between workouts, I would have to wait 4 days between working the dips and bench press.

Suggestions? Should I alternate dips one workout and bench press the next with a day of rest in between? Or, should I toughen up and do dips and bench press in the same workout?

dips do not work the lats; they just work as a synergist.

it depends on your training age(how advanced are you) and if you need that much stimulation.
usually, one or the other is enough as long as you have enough volume. they both have their benefits

Dips use many muscles (shoulders, pecs, tris to name a few, but not lats--maybe some support function).

Currently, I use what I call a "freeform" of exercises in my rest periods inbetween sets (and I have many reasons why I implemented them).

For example: During the incline bench press of 3 sets. On the first set I go ahead and do the set, I may have a 1 minute rest period. Right after the 1st is over, I go to the dip station and push out as many dips as I can, and then rest the remaining of the minute rest, and then go to the second set of the incline bench and push out the reps.

After the second set, I then go and do decline pushups, and then rest the remaining minute, and then go to the 3rd set of the incline bench, and then I may due "weighted" pushups.

I have a need for some muscle endurance, but this has also assisted (in the past.....at least with me) in sticking points on weight progression and has also assisted with my joint pain I once had (believe it or not)




It is interesting, that though one has come to failure on a used weight on a exercise after a set, the muscle is only at failure with that weight---much can be learned from this.......when plateaus develop or development of another approach is needed for various reasons.

Hmm, I got the dips idea from a chart at the gym - guess they were wrong. Regardless, I do enjoy the dips and want to continue with them and the bench press.

So, chillen, you alternate the bp and the dips in the same workout, right? Do your triceps become fatigued before your pecs or will this cause the tris to develop and not get fatigued so quickly?

Yes, I currently alternate dips, weighted pushups in between sets. And, currently, my pecs become fatigued before my tris. (I have learned that my pecs need longer rest periods then my tris, meaning complete rest periods or days of rest, and this was learned through trial and error).

You have to bare in mind, I am closing in on nearly 2 years of training this coming december, and I always try to switch things around.

And I do a split routine (as this works with my schedule). Since Chest work and the corresponding "FreeForm" routine work the Tris, I work the tris separately the same work out.......BUT the load is adjusted due to the "freefrom" routine; the tri though the larger muscle of the arm, is still a small muscle.

dips use lats, hell, even bench press uses lats. The more decline the pushing movement is, the more the lats are involved. But dips are not exactly a primary lat movement, it's more pecs and tris. If you want lats, do pullups.