TETSUBody-Up vs Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press
The Body-Up and the Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press both train the triceps as their primary muscle. The Body-Up is bodyweight-only while the Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press uses a dumbbell. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Body-Up | Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | triceps | triceps |
| Body part | upper arms | upper arms |
| Supporting muscles | chest and shoulders | chest and shoulders |
| Equipment | bodyweight | dumbbell |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 4 |
How each one starts
Body-Up — first steps
- Start by placing your hands on a raised surface, such as a bench or parallel bars, with your palms facing down and fingers pointing forward.
- Extend your legs out in front of you, keeping your heels on the ground and your body straight.
Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press — first steps
- Lie flat on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other and arms extended straight up over your chest.
- Lower the dumbbells towards your shoulders by bending your elbows, keeping your upper arms stationary.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Body-Up needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. The Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press works each side independently and demands more stabilizer control. 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
Is the Body-Up better than the Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press?
Neither is universally better — both train the triceps as the primary mover. The Body-Up needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press works each side independently and demands more stabilizer control. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Body-Up and the Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press 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 Body-Up and the Dumbbell Lying Elbow Press work the same muscles?
Yes — the primary muscle is the same (triceps) and both rely on the same supporting muscles: chest and shoulders.
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.