Barbell or dumbell bench presses

divie · 27-09-2005, 03:44 PM

I usualy do barbell bench presses for flat and incline but my training partner was ill which meant i had no spotter, so i tried the dumbells instead and i reckon i definatly felt it more with the dumbells.Any views on what people prefer and why?.

Im leading towards using dumbells rather then barbells lately as ive ditched the millitary press for a while and im doing dumbell shoulder presses, i can definatly feel the burn more with theese.I think with the dumbells it forces you to concentrate on form a bit more then with the barbell and hit the intended muscle groups more effectivly.

Caz84 · 27-09-2005, 03:55 PM

I personally enjoy a combination of both. But when i train, i use dumbells first, then barbells, and then machines; always in that order. I feel that using dumbells has helped me maintain better symmetry.

madmonkey292 · 27-09-2005, 04:43 PM

i use to do dumbell press for chest, then about 8 weeks ago went back to barbell press and have been going heavy i have now gone back to dumbell press and have found that my weights have gone up! i certainly agree with you about feeling it more with the dumbells.

SoulCard · 27-09-2005, 05:01 PM

i do both! it helps hit the muscle differently and encourages growth...

fabulous13 · 27-09-2005, 05:55 PM

I like to mix it up, ive only just gone back 2 db press as i had a shoulder injury and couldnt support a heavy db it feels great doing them again i must admit!

zx9rjas. · 27-09-2005, 06:35 PM

Mix it up :-)

J

jimbo999 · 27-09-2005, 07:45 PM

i use smith machine incline and db incline for chest plus dips.

flat bench press just kills my shoulders

Munchie · 11-10-2005, 08:12 PM

I was wondering about the same question, i also prefer the dumbells, my mate prefers the bar. My muscles seem to ache more with the dumbells too, no idea why? Got my eye on the 45kg set, cant wait

LM6000 · 11-10-2005, 09:11 PM

DB's all the way!

45Kg's are a BIG leap up from 40kg's Dude : )))

I find I struggle to balance at much over 35kg tho - esp. as you see guys piling on the kg's on the smithy and there I am wobbling all over the place, I just take solice in the fact that they probably couldn't get the db's up in position and press as much as I do with the db's!

Anyone else find that? You can lift a helluva lot more on a smithy than you can free weight or am I just strange!?!?!!?

zx9rjas. · 11-10-2005, 09:25 PM

Asmith machine will restrict the natural movement as in a free weight bench press. With a bar the pressing movement is in the form of an arc from the chest arking up above your head.

With a smith this movement is from the chest and straight up.

Not sure about more weight with a smith for me as If I use it, its usually after a free weight movement.

27-09-2005, 03:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
divie Making Progress Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: somerset Posts: 436 Rep Power:	Barbell or dumbell bench presses I usualy do barbell bench presses for flat and incline but my training partner was ill which meant i had no spotter, so i tried the dumbells instead and i reckon i definatly felt it more with the dumbells.Any views on what people prefer and why?. Im leading towards using dumbells rather then barbells lately as ive ditched the millitary press for a while and im doing dumbell shoulder presses, i can definatly feel the burn more with theese.I think with the dumbells it forces you to concentrate on form a bit more then with the barbell and hit the intended muscle groups more effectivly.

27-09-2005, 04:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
madmonkey292 Making Progress Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: northwest Posts: 191 Rep Power:	i use to do dumbell press for chest, then about 8 weeks ago went back to barbell press and have been going heavy i have now gone back to dumbell press and have found that my weights have gone up! i certainly agree with you about feeling it more with the dumbells. ______________________ www.eph25plus.co.uk

27-09-2005, 05:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
SoulCard Legend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: USA Posts: 819 Rep Power:	i do both! it helps hit the muscle differently and encourages growth... ______________________ Look Here before you ask!... http://www.musclechat.co.uk/search.php Steroid Sticky Here... http://musclechat.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=4464

27-09-2005, 06:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
zx9rjas. Legend Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 697 Rep Power:	Mix it up :-) J ______________________ 50% of Training is nutrition 50% of Training is not overtraining If you cant gain see the above.

11-10-2005, 09:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
zx9rjas. Legend Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 697 Rep Power:	Asmith machine will restrict the natural movement as in a free weight bench press. With a bar the pressing movement is in the form of an arc from the chest arking up above your head. With a smith this movement is from the chest and straight up. Not sure about more weight with a smith for me as If I use it, its usually after a free weight movement. ______________________ 50% of Training is nutrition 50% of Training is not overtraining If you cant gain see the above.

27-09-2005, 03:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Caz84 Under Construction Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northwest Posts: 45 Rep Power:	I personally enjoy a combination of both. But when i train, i use dumbells first, then barbells, and then machines; always in that order. I feel that using dumbells has helped me maintain better symmetry.

27-09-2005, 05:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
fabulous13 Under Construction Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: gloucestershire Posts: 14 Rep Power:	I like to mix it up, ive only just gone back 2 db press as i had a shoulder injury and couldnt support a heavy db it feels great doing them again i must admit!

27-09-2005, 07:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
jimbo999 Under Construction Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 85 Rep Power:	i use smith machine incline and db incline for chest plus dips. flat bench press just kills my shoulders

11-10-2005, 08:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
Munchie Making Progress Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: UK Posts: 114 Rep Power:	I was wondering about the same question, i also prefer the dumbells, my mate prefers the bar. My muscles seem to ache more with the dumbells too, no idea why? Got my eye on the 45kg set, cant wait

11-10-2005, 09:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
LM6000 Making Progress Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 270 Rep Power:	DB's all the way! 45Kg's are a BIG leap up from 40kg's Dude : ))) I find I struggle to balance at much over 35kg tho - esp. as you see guys piling on the kg's on the smithy and there I am wobbling all over the place, I just take solice in the fact that they probably couldn't get the db's up in position and press as much as I do with the db's! Anyone else find that? You can lift a helluva lot more on a smithy than you can free weight or am I just strange!?!?!!?

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