Bench press or dumbells?

[purelifting]

I was searching and couldn't find a topic on bench press or dumbells but I am wondering what would you prefer? and why?

 

[shawnkarbabacz]

I personally prefer the bar for 3 reasons-
1- i feel my tris are a weak pt so i use a slightly closer grip then usual for a 'double whammy' type effect. (also my chest seems to grow when i do calf raises, so im not too worried about it)
2- I think this goes against what most people say, but i actually find the bench doesnt hurt my shoulders as much. Maybe i let the DB's stray to far out when i use them
3- Im hoping to make the dumbbells at my gym obsolete soon due to the fact they only go up to 160's

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

I was searching and couldn't find a topic on bench press or dumbells but I am wondering what would you prefer? and why?

BOTH! It's basically the only way to make sure you are growing and activating many of the smaller and larger muscle fibers. If your Db weight goes up, eventually your bench will go up! A straight bar has its good points but it also has one bad point. With a straight bar your stronger arm will always compensate for your weaker arm. When doing Db's the weaker arm has no choice but to work. So for me I say use both regularly.

 

[cachexic]

Dumbbells. Better range of motion, strong arm can't "cheat" to get the bar up, less chance of injury, and I work out alone so I have no spotter, thus, I can't work to failure. So using a bar is completely pointless.

 

[Flex2019]

I use both for incline presses, but only dumbbells for flat presses due to some shoulder issues. As far as the incline goes, I tend to use a bar for a month or two and then switch to dumbbells for a month or two. I find my gains aren't as consistent if I switch too frequently (like weekly).

 

[richiec]

BOTH! It's basically the only way to make sure you are growing and activating many of the smaller and larger muscle fibers. If your Db weight goes up, eventually your bench will go up! A straight bar has its good points but it also has one bad point. With a straight bar your stronger arm will always compensate for your weaker arm. When doing Db's the weaker arm has no choice but to work. So for me I say use both regularly.

Exactly, hit different fibers with each movement. Work both in, but work whatever feels the most comfortable for you.

DB's in my gym go up to 100, SUCKS!!!

 

[nickman1978]

Exactly, hit different fibers with each movement. Work both in, but work whatever feels the most comfortable for you.

DB's in my gym go up to 100, SUCKS!!!

i do the same here...
use the both of 'em...
just switch it up...

 

[twinhart]

I use them both but prefer the Barbell. I seem to get a twing in my left shoulder with DB so I tend to go lighter.

 

[purelifting]

MY gym only goes up to 100lbs also :/ The reason why I asked is becasue I had to get my wisdom teeth extracted about a week ago so I took 2 week break.

 

[lookatpicture]

i like both. dumbells are great for helping to even out a strong/weak arm situation.

 

[tweb123]

Dumbbells. Better range of motion, strong arm can't "cheat" to get the bar up, less chance of injury, and I work out alone so I have no spotter, thus, I can't work to failure. So using a bar is completely pointless.

.
I AGREE WITH YOU BRO BUT SOMETIME I USE THE SMITH BARBELL JUST TO CHANGE UP THE MY CHEST ROUTINE

 

[Snow White]

Actually all three - yup week 1 all barbell, week 2 all dumbell, week 3 all Hammer Strength then start all over agian. keeps 'em confused.

 

[kscowboy]

I use dumbells for flat benching and i use the smythe machine for incline.

 

[Ulamalop]

My left shoulder won't tolerate the bar anymore, I have to use dumbells only.

 

[done101]

i would use both and if u r advanced i would do benches long bar one workout and benches db next workout. your best gains r made with basic movements. imo only..............

 

[j-bol]

BOTH def! i use them in variations as well like switching from bb one week to db the next and also on the same work out ill do warm ups and max press with db and dropset with bb and vice-versa it allows me to work the main bulk of the muscles and the secondary ones.my dumbell only go up to 75lb so i dont want to hear you guys complainin lol i pay $10 a month tho so i get what i pay for i deff make up for it on bar tho but deff db for flys it really connects the chest with the delts gets them in sync

 

[kid1dakota]

One of the magazines had an article not to long ago where they used an MRI to look at what excercise did the most micro- excercise induced trauma on each body part.
For chest it was DB bench

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

One of the magazines had an article not to long ago where they used an MRI to look at what excercise did the most micro- excercise induced trauma on each body part.
For chest it was DB bench

I am assuming this is because most people (guys) go below the 90degree bench mark and thus put their shoulders in jeopardy? Not saying this is the case for all guys but most tend to drop the Db's below their chest for an extra stretch and thus bring on some sort of impingement problem or tare.

It would be interesting to look at that article if you can find it again bro.

 

[kid1dakota]

I am assuming this is because most people (guys) go below the 90degree bench mark and thus put their shoulders in jeopardy? Not saying this is the case for all guys but most tend to drop the Db's below their chest for an extra stretch and thus bring on some sort of impingement problem or tare.

It would be interesting to look at that article if you can find it again bro.

No, when I say micro trauma I am referring to the minute damage done to the target muscle during excercise.Not injury trauma I.E. Macro trauma.

I was stating that based on MRI the db bench press did the most micro trauma ,therefore being the most effective chest excercise.

some others off hand were: shoulders db press
Biceps barbell curls
qauds front sqauts
hams romanian dead lift
triceps dips
thats all I can remember

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

No, when I say micro trauma I am referring to the minute damage done to the target muscle during excercise.Not injury trauma I.E. Macro trauma.

I was stating that based on MRI the db bench press did the most micro trauma ,therefore being the most effective chest excercise.

some others off hand were: shoulders db press
Biceps barbell curls
qauds front sqauts
hams romanian dead lift
triceps dips
thats all I can remember

Got it. And thanks for clearing that up. I read to quickly past your first post.