TETSUAdvanced Dips vs Cable Rear Drive
The Advanced Dips and the Cable Rear Drive both train the triceps as their primary muscle. The Advanced Dips are bodyweight-based (a bar, rings or a station) while the Cable Rear Drive uses a cable. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Advanced Dips | Cable Rear Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | triceps | triceps |
| Body part | upper arms | upper arms |
| Supporting muscles | chest and shoulders | shoulders and back |
| Equipment | bodyweight | cable |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 4 |
How each one starts
Advanced Dips — first steps
- Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body suspended in the air.
- Bend your knees and cross your ankles.
Cable Rear Drive — first steps
- Attach a handle to a low pulley cable machine and stand facing away from the machine.
- Grasp the handle with an overhand grip and extend your arms straight out in front of you.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Advanced Dips need only a sturdy bar, rings or a station and scale through leverage, tempo and reps. The Cable Rear Drive keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the triceps adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Are the Advanced Dips better than the Cable Rear Drive?
Neither is universally better — both train the triceps as the primary mover. The Advanced Dips need only a sturdy bar, rings or a station and scale through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Cable Rear Drive keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Advanced Dips and the Cable Rear Drive in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the triceps. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Advanced Dips and the Cable Rear Drive work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the triceps. Supporting muscles differ slightly — chest and shoulders for the Advanced Dips versus shoulders and back for the Cable Rear Drive.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.