Barbells to dumbbells

b52

b52

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So I bought some more dumbbells up to 120, because of me pulling my right pec on barbell presses consistently, for those who don't know the story. What I am noticing, is my rep range is lower with the dumbbells? I am still happy with the weight I'm pushing, just find it odd I can't do as many reps with the dumbbells? Only thing I can think of is that the barbell is more stabilized so you don't have to balance the weight as much. This is only on bench pressing. Anyone have any thoughts. I tried the barbell just to see if I got weaker, but nope. I can still do more reps on the barbell.
 
clutchitalian said:
That's funny it's the opposite for me I can do a lot more weight with Dumbbells maybe my barbell form is messed up
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I'm thinking my chest is being more isolated. My shoulders grow the fastest out of any muscle group on me, and possibly I'm thinking take more of a load on the barbell, therefore my shoulders are pushing those extra reps, and my chest secondary. Still just a theory, but it's the same movement. I'm very cautious with my form too, but then again why wouldn't my shoulders pick up the slack with the dumbbells if that's the case? Weird
 
I agree my shoulders are my best body part and chest was always a weak point for me... I notice after training chest my front delts are almost as sore as my pecs
 
I use DB for pressing almost exclusively (although I just finished flat benching tonight). My weight and rep ranges have just kept creeping up over the years. The muscle is used somewhat differently in that movement as well as other stabilizers. Your form will have much to with this too.

My titties are built with DBs :)
 
clutchitalian said:
I agree my shoulders are my best body part and chest was always a weak point for me... I notice after training chest my front delts are almost as sore as my pecs
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If that's the case you need to work on some movements that force your pecs to carry the weight. Otherwise it will lag farther and farther behind. Google Y flys and hit those bitches for a month as an example.
 
clutchitalian said:
I agree my shoulders are my best body part and chest was always a weak point for me... I notice after training chest my front delts are almost as sore as my pecs
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Drop the weight. Sometimes a lot of guys load up the weight, and it takes the strain off your pecs, and your body is recruiting all the muscle it can to lift the weight. shoulders and tri's do a lot of the work. I must say though my chest is pretty sore after hitting dumbbells. more than the barbell, so I could have possibly answered my own question. I can still push the same weight, just a few less reps. I don't really care as long as the muscle is being worked to the fullest.
 
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No that's not the one I saw the one I saw had cables.... This excercise looks like it gives ur pecs a nice stretch more than even regular flyes... Now I see why they call it y flyes I'm def gonna try this on Monday thanks dark
 
b52 said:
So I bought some more dumbbells up to 120, because of me pulling my right pec on barbell presses consistently, for those who don't know the story. What I am noticing, is my rep range is lower with the dumbbells? I am still happy with the weight I'm pushing, just find it odd I can't do as many reps with the dumbbells? Only thing I can think of is that the barbell is more stabilized so you don't have to balance the weight as much. This is only on bench pressing. Anyone have any thoughts. I tried the barbell just to see if I got weaker, but nope. I can still do more reps on the barbell.
Click to expand...

That's actually pretty common bro. And you pretty much nailed it - it's about balance. Not much balance required repping 300 x 10 barbell vs 150lbs db's x 10. I know at my strongest I could incline 365 x 5-6, and there's no way in hell I could do the 180's for 5 or 6 - it would be more like 150's x 5-6.
 
clutchitalian said:
I agree my shoulders are my best body part and chest was always a weak point for me... I notice after training chest my front delts are almost as sore as my pecs
Click to expand...

Are you sure to keep your chest high with back arched when pressing? If not, there's the problem. That applies to pressing and flyes both. If your laying there flat as a board, then shoulders will do the most of the work. If that don't help, try doing them on a slight incline, like 15% angle.
 
Dawgpound_Hank said:
That's actually pretty common bro. And you pretty much nailed it - it's about balance. Not much balance required repping 300 x 10 barbell vs 150lbs db's x 10. I know at my strongest I could incline 365 x 5-6, and there's no way in hell I could do the 180's for 5 or 6 - it would be more like 150's x 5-6.
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I thought it was just me. I was so used to barbell pressing, because at my old gym the dumbbells only went to 80. Not really pushing myself too hard with those. 120 lb dumbbells are friggin' heavy though. At least for me. Feel a lot heavier than 240 on the bar. I was getting 265 for 6 on barbell, I can get 4 with the 120's on a good day
 
the only problem i have with going heavy on dumbbells is that it can be difficult getting to your starting point.

also upon failure there is a chance to tear your labrum / rotator cuff unless you throw the db's, which could be from over 5 feet in the air.

I've seen the latter happen more than once....
 
Thate said:
the only problem i have with going heavy on dumbbells is that it can be difficult getting to your starting point.

also upon failure there is a chance to tear your labrum / rotator cuff unless you throw the db's, which could be from over 5 feet in the air.

I've seen the latter happen more than once....
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Exactly that's why I get a spot with anything over 80's
 
Thate said:
the only problem i have with going heavy on dumbbells is that it can be difficult getting to your starting point.
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Agreed - especially for us older guys haha! I find it kinda funny when I see some young guy carrying heavy dumbells from the rack over to a bench which is 10+ feet away. Yeah I used to do that dumb shit too - until one day I said "Why not carry the bench over directly in front of the dumbells I'm going to use DUHHH? :at: ".lol Sooo much easier, just grab 'em, then sit down and gtg! Call me brainiac. :p

Regarding the start, once I get to the 120's and heavier, I'll get someone to help shoot my elbows up on just the very first rep as I lay back, because that first rep from deep out of the hole can really drain you of 1 or 2 reps.
 
Yes! "Stability" is why the barbell is easier. A way to show the difference is to do a set of front dumbbell raises with your dumbbells spread apart ...then do a set with the dumbbells pressed together (if they are flat on the sides). The latter is easier. You have more control and can focus on strength..

-Birdman
 
Thate said:
the only problem i have with going heavy on dumbbells is that it can be difficult getting to your starting point.

also upon failure there is a chance to tear your labrum / rotator cuff unless you throw the db's, which could be from over 5 feet in the air.

I've seen the latter happen more than once....
Click to expand...

Agreed on that. Anything over 80lbs will be a bit of a PITA to get up into starting position and thus a buddy to spot you is a must.

It has happened to me...injured my left rotator when some dumbass bumped me while I was pressing 110's. I sure was lucky it didn't get torn.
 
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