Chin-ups and dips are two of the best strength training exercises you can do, but most people struggle with them. They’re a challenge for both men and women, regardless of how many years of training experience they have!
Remember, there’s a big difference between exercising and training. Exercising just to sweat and burn calories with no real progression is much different than training toward a specific objective—in this case, improving chin-up and dip strength. The good news is that with proper sleep, nutrition, and smart programming, you can absolutely improve your performance on these movements.
That’s exactly what Amanda did. Like most people, she struggled to do even a single rep at first. But through consistent training—focusing initially on the eccentric action—she progressed from zero to ten solid reps on both exercises.
Bottom Line: You can get strong on chin-ups and dips too. With the right approach and consistent effort, you’ll make steady progress. It won’t happen overnight, but if you put in the work, you’ll go from zero to hero on two of the best exercises known to both men and women!

The Elite Trainer: Strength Training for the Serious Professional
The Elite Trainer is a synthesis of the very latest thinking in strength training and a comprehensive guide to developing individualized programs for your clients.
Intensity, volume, density, repetitions, sets, tempo, time under tension, rest interval, exercise selection and sequence, load selection, duration, and frequency are all covered in detail in easy-to-understand language. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a beginner, The Elite Trainer provides a wealth of information you can put to use immediately.