Tricep Dips
Tricep Dips can make you feel like the offspring of a Greek God. When your triceps are rippling in the mirror it can get pretty intoxicating, so why does this exercise make our list? The problem with the tricep dip is that you are immediately setting your body up for failure due to the positioning of your arms. Putting your arms behind your torso and then putting the bulk of your weight on them is a recipe for pain and damage. There are a ton of small muscles in your upper arms and your rotator cuffs that will leave you in pain if you hurt them with this exercise. Opt instead for tricep pushups, close gripped chest exercises and even pushdown cable flies. You’ll get the same pump sans the injury risk.
Tricep Dips
Dumbbell Flies
The final exercise on our list, for all people to avoid as they get older, are Dumbbell Chest Flies. Chest flies are one of the most common and popular exercises out there because they are easy to do and they look impressive. The problem with Dumbbell Chest Flies is that they 1) aren’t very effective and 2) cause increased strain on tender muscles. The goal of chest flies is to hit your pecs but you can’t really nail them as hard as you’d like with dumbbells. Also, the fact that you are dropping your arms below your chest means you are straining your shoulders and causing heightened pressure. Instead opt for Wolverines on the cables. To do Wolverines you need to set the cables to their lowest position and then grab one handle in each arm. Step forward and emulate Wolverine bringing his arms up in front of his chest. Rinse and repeat. You’ll feel the burn without feeling the pain.
Dumbbell Flies