I have a lot of pain right in my sternum (middle of chest) when doing dips. However if i do them with my chest precisely 90 degrees to the floor i’m fine. Something I should go to the doc for or does anyone else have the same problem?
How old are you? It’s not an uncommon problem in younger people.
When you do them perpendicular to the floor ur triceps do most of the work thats why ur sternum doesn’t hurt.
HOWEVER, since it does hurt when u tilt forward don’t do them. THis pain only occurs since your body is still growing and the sternum has not harden yet. (I used to get this pain a lot when I was a teen) My suggestion, lay off dips until you get older.
I’m 17 and I’ve had 3 or 4 surgeries, all my growth plates have closed up, but you guys are probably right, looks like i’ll be keeping perpendicular, thanks guys.
I had the same problem up until recently. I’d say you probably shouldn’t do dips until the pain goes away, especially since you’ve had 3 or 4 surgeries already. There are plenty other exercises you can do instead such as narrow-grip bench pressing at various angles.
Had the same problem, cept i thought it was normal. It took 3 months to heal. First 3 weeks I didn’t train at all. then got back into it slowly. That was a crazy pain though. I replaced dips with incline close grip bench press.
Another thing to replace dips with is pushups. Keep your elbows in tight to your side and elevate your feet a bit. Elbows tight = load transfers from pecs to triceps. Feet up adds more load. If you want higher resistance (once you can do a good 40 with good form), either start working on one-arms or have someone put a plate between your shoulder blades. Don’t have your feet up if using a plate since it will slide forward and whack you upside the head.
Compliment with some rowing type exercise and you are good to go.
YMMV
– jj
Another thing to replace dips with is pushups. Keep your elbows in tight to your side and elevate your feet a bit. Elbows tight = load transfers from pecs to triceps. Feet up adds more load. If you want higher resistance (once you can do a good 40 with good form), either start working on one-arms or have someone put a plate between your shoulder blades. Don’t have your feet up if using a plate since it will slide forward and whack you upside the head.
Compliment with some rowing type exercise and you are good to go.
YMMV
– jj