Where do Dips Stand as a Tricep Assistance?

[OZ-USF-UFGator]

For the past 6 months I've used lying tricep extentsions but I've maxed out the E Z curl bars with 8 reps at 100#. I haven't done dips in a year but I love them. Last year, I worked up to 3 sets of 20 body weight dips pretty quickly. Are dips an acceptible tricep assistance or should I look elsewhere? Im looking for presing assistance and to have strong, healthy arms (bigger would be a bonus too).
I was thinking 2 sets of 10, add reps each week until I hit 20 reps, then either weighting or adding a third set.
My asssitance after my main lifts are (3 day lift week):

Day 1 - Forearms using Grippers

Day 2 - Triceps (2-3 sets of 8-20)

Day 3 - Barbell Curls (2-3 sets of 5 - 15)

Thanks for your input!

[Adam Skillin]

I like the heck out of some dips, but bodyweight get boring quickly, so I second mgilchrest's advice to get a dip belt and add load.

[Red Finn]

I can't really speak to the aesthetic concerns, but personally, I have decided to eschew assistance lifts in my own programming and simply do a lot of benching and pressing. The advantage of my approach is that I get more chances to work on the technique of the basic exercises, and don't have to waste time learning how to do assistance lifts.

Of course, I don't know if it'll work yet. I just didn't want to get sidetracked doing a bunch of different things. I thought it would be good to keep things simple and only branch out once simplicity stops working. To me, novelty is not a valid consideration in exercise selection.

[f4thpathway]

Heavy dips are beneficial. Triceps can be worked heavy to boost bench and press but they like the 10-16 range (if hard) for pure hypertrophy (heavy ones also cause gains) and bodyweight dips exit that stage after a short period of training them. So loaded dips are a must.

Likely the best option on the planet is the Spud squat belt. Better for heavy dips, easier to don and doff, more comfortable since it sits on the hips, can be used for other things (squats, sled pulls).
http://www.liftinglarge.com/Spud-Belt-Squat-Belt

[Adam Skillin]

Dips aren't exactly in the same ship as bicep curls, Mr. Finn.

[DRice311]

How long does it take to learn and master the dip? I'd guess about 30 seconds.

I am a pretty big believer in weighted dips as a bench assistance - and have incorporated them into my programming forever.

Glad to see f4 back posting.

[hamburgerfan]

Skilling is correct, in that bicep curls are better than dips.

[Adam Skillin]

Skilling is correct, in that bicep curls are better than dips.

Always nice to have your perspective, Mr. Burgers.

[PackMule]

I like dips. They hurt my tit though. Ease into them.

[PackMule]

Glad to see f4 back posting.

I second this. Beast.