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  7. Dip On Floor With Chair

Exercise guide

Dip On Floor With Chair

  • Beginner
  • Compound
  • Rep-based
  • Back
  • Chest
  • Shoulders
  • Upper arms
  • Waist

This beginner-friendly compound movement targets the triceps, chest, and front deltoids by using a chair to elevate the upper body. It builds foundational pushing strength and shoulder stability while allowing for adjustable resistance based on leg positioning.

Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026

Watch the Dip On Floor With Chair demonstrationGuided video and your full workout live in the Crucible app.

Muscles worked

Primary

  • Triceps

Secondary

  • Abs
  • Obliques

Equipment

  • Body weight

Setup

  1. Sit on the floor with your back facing a stable chair or bench.
  2. Place your palms on the edge of the seat, shoulder-width apart, with fingers facing forward.
  3. Bend your knees at a 90-degree angle and place your feet flat on the floor.
  4. Lift your glutes slightly off the floor to reach the starting position with arms fully extended.

How to do it

  1. Inhale as you slowly lower your hips toward the floor by bending your elbows until they reach approximately a 90-degree angle.
  2. Keep your back close to the chair throughout the descent to maintain vertical alignment.
  3. Exhale as you push through your palms to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
  4. Maintain a controlled tempo, taking two seconds to lower and two seconds to rise.

Form checklist

  • Keep your elbows pointing directly backward rather than flaring out to the sides.
  • Maintain a proud chest and keep your shoulders pulled down away from your ears.
  • Ensure your back stays within an inch of the chair edge throughout the movement.
  • Avoid locking your elbows aggressively at the top to maintain tension on the muscles.

Pro tips

  • Focus on the mind-muscle connection by consciously squeezing your triceps at the top of the rep.
  • Drive through the heels of your palms to maximize pectoral and tricep engagement.

Make it harder

  • Straighten your legs out in front of you with only your heels touching the floor to increase the load on your arms.
  • Elevate your feet on a second chair or a small stool to shift more body weight onto the upper body.

Frequently asked

What muscles does the dip on floor with chair work?
The dip on floor with chair primarily targets the triceps, and also works the abs and obliques as secondary muscles.
What equipment do you need for the dip on floor with chair?
The dip on floor with chair requires no equipment — just your body weight.
Is the dip on floor with chair good for beginners?
Yes. The dip on floor with chair is a beginner-friendly movement and a strong foundation to build on.

Related exercises

  • Barbell Pullover-To-PressIntermediate · deltoids, pectorals, and triceps
  • Bodyweight Front SlamIntermediate · lats, pectorals, and triceps
  • Bodyweight Standing Military PressBeginner · deltoids and triceps
  • Dumbbell BurpeeIntermediate · deltoids, glutes, hamstrings, pectorals, quadriceps, and triceps

Train this with a plan, not guesswork

Crucible builds the dip on floor with chair into a precise program around your body, equipment, location, and time.

Download on the App Store