Take your bodyweight workout to the next level with a dip belt
18.7.2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
With bodyweight training, you up the level by doing a more difficult variation of the exercise in question. Or you can literally up your load by using a dip belt.
Extra weights for bodyweight training? Sounds illogical at first. After all, people who train using their own body weight usually do so to avoid the gym. Or at least that’s the case for me. The mere thought of the gym makes me sick. I’d much rather work out at home or outside.
But in the past few months, I’ve hardly made any progress. I’m not getting anywhere with my usual exercises, nor am I ready for more difficult variations. Pull-ups are an especial struggle. I just can’t get in more than 10 reps per set. I’ve already tried out a pull-up aid and use bands to make the exercise easier. Still, none of this has resulted in my being able to do to more reps with my full body weight. So, I decided to try something different: for a few weeks now, I’ve been training with added weight.
A dip belt is, well, a belt that you strap around your waist. Then, using carabiners, you attach weights to it with a chain. These can be plates or, in my case, kettlebells. Thanks to the dip belt, I pull up 89 kilos instead of 74. Due to the extra weight, I can currently manage just 5 reps instead of 10. After a few weeks of training, I’ve already noticed initial progress. With just my own body weight, I can now do up to 12 pull-ups per set.
I also use the belt for dips. After all, that is the exercise the belt’s named after. But my favourite exercise for which I wear my stylish pink training belt is calf raises. I’ve «suffered» from stick legs since my teenage years. After undergoing an Achilles tendon surgery last October, the situation worsened. I’m hopefully now building up my calves with the dip belt. I haven’t noticed much progress with the exercises yet, but my muscles are sore the next day.
Prior experience is a must for training with a dip belt. I wouldn’t do pull-ups with extra weight unless you can already do 10 reps – unassisted. And, with additional weight, it’s all the more important you pay attention to good form.
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
Sport
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Fitness
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
8 comments
later