What is the prime mover in dips?

The prime mover in dips is the triceps. In this exercise, the triceps brachii are primarily responsible for elbow extension, which is crucial as you push your body upward during the dip movement. While the chest and shoulders also play significant roles in the dip, the triceps are heavily engaged and are primarily responsible for the force generated to lift the body. This makes them the dominant muscle group working during the exercise.

Other muscles, such as the pectorals and deltoids, assist in stabilizing and supporting the movement, but they do not fulfill the same primary role as the triceps. The latissimus dorsi, while involved in various upper-body movements, is not a primary mover in dips, nor are the erector spinae and quadriceps, which are more associated with maintaining posture and supporting the legs, respectively, rather than executing the pushing motion in this particular exercise.