Strong DB BUT WEAK BB...WTF...

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

Hey guys/gals, I'm 6'3, just hit 240lbs

Since I started training 2 years ago seriously, up till this point I primarily used dumbbells for chest and not to much the barbell.

I now think I am suffering because of it. It's funny that I can press 140lbs dumbells for 10 good reps but I struggle to push up 315 on the barbell 1 time...........What the fack?

Today I decided against DB's FOR A WHILE. At least until I get my barbell weight up because this is unacceptable.

I can squat 425 7x and dead around 535 4x but I can't bench press worth of crap.

I need some serious guidence here.

 

[vadim_b1]

Different angles on the DB... Maybe with DB you can assume a more natural position for pressing, with a BB youre locked into position that the BB dictates... I hope you understand what i mean.
And yes, to get good at barbell benching, you just gotta do barbell benches, but really i dont see what the big deal is unless youre trying to be a powerlifter... DB benching is superior to BB as far as chest development is concerned.

 

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

Well I just get frustrated when I can do heavy weight with good form on DB's but cannot hit heavy on the BB. I guess it's a pride thing.

But is the general consensus db's are better than bb's for chest development?
I would think that varies with each person correct?

 

[ALLEX]

I think if you focus on bb's for a while you will make dramatic gains...

 

[Dog-Slime]

Well I just get frustrated when I can do heavy weight with good form on DB's but cannot hit heavy on the BB. I guess it's a pride thing.

But is the general consensus db's are better than bb's for chest development?
I would think that varies with each person correct?

DB's > BB's

 

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

Did some more research and found that Once my neural pathways adjust to barbell presses the weights Should increase at a rapid rate.

 

[ALLEX]

That's what I meant...

 

[Pekkerwood]

Opposite problem..Corrected

Lo,

I was strong on Barbells in Bench and Military Press but a girly man on DB's. It is the mind/body connection, the pathways, and the change in grip, angle, and plane. People who feared my very presence on the Barbell Bench Press Area would bring sand into the gym to kick in my face on dumbells. While I ordered from the right side (entrees) of the menu on barbells, on Dumbells I was always ordering from the left side of the menu (appetizers/salads).

I would be so far at the opposite end of the rack on dumbells I was competing for weights with the guys doing lateral raises and rotator cuff exercises. I was embarassed but lucky because when a friend came near my weights were small enough to conceal in my palm until he walked past. My partner was so far toward the other end of the dumbell rack we had to text each other between sets as sound would not carry that far.

Started doing more dumbells, guess what? Strength gains through the roof, but only on the dumbell movements. Barbell strength stayed the same.

A tired theme, but a good, one "Change is Good" sayeth the Pekkerwood.


Pekkerwood

 

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

Hey that was very theatrical...lol.

Inspiring in a comical way but note taken indeed.

 

[oldfella]

Why not throw in a mix of the two. BB bench press and db incline press or the other way around. I did this for years, switching back and forth over time and i got the best of both worlds. But for developement and shoulder safety the db is the preferred movement.

 

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

I will not totally abandon the DB's OLDFELLA, just want to focus more time to the BB until I get caught up.

But yeah I cannot totally give up the Exercise that liberates me from the other guys in the gym...(ego talking).

 

[justice25312]

Your not going to believe this but alot is probably mental. If you have any common sense your mind has a problem with putting major weight over your chest and lifting it . Its sorta like jumping out of a good running plane,lol. Forget weather your strong enough or not. crank up the music get 2 spotters you trust and take your time. over time your mind will catch up to your body . youll do fine. Just a thought.

 

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

Uh I don't think it's a mental or a scared thing at all. I wouldn't even attempt to put that kind of weight up if I was scared. I just can't do it. Tht will change in due time.

Thanks for the "thought" though.

 

[mike1107]

Did some more research and found that Once my neural pathways adjust to barbell presses the weights Should increase at a rapid rate.

u have to get ur neural pathways used to that kind of movment to get stronger and u'lll have it

take ur time , this time of adjustment can't be done in a single day ...

 

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

^ Really...hmmmm..........good to know!

 

[joe914]

im the same way ...i was always stronger on incline DB and even flat Db although ive been doing all incline to bring it up ...than i was on inlcine and flate BB ...and i get the 120s for about 6 reps on incline DBs and struggle for 4 reps on incline BB ...and is goes pretty much the same for when i was doing flat ...but since ive been doing DBs and even alot more hammer strength my chest has got stronger and im seeing growth ...but i do throw in BB every now and then or smith machine to mix it up ...

 

[signal_24]

Hey guys/gals, I'm 6'3, just hit 240lbs

Since I started training 2 years ago seriously, up till this point I primarily used dumbbells for chest and not to much the barbell.

I now think I am suffering because of it. It's funny that I can press 140lbs dumbells for 10 good reps but I struggle to push up 315 on the barbell 1 time...........What the fack?

Today I decided against DB's FOR A WHILE. At least until I get my barbell weight up because this is unacceptable.

I can squat 425 7x and dead around 535 4x but I can't bench press worth of crap.

I need some serious guidence here.

In my experience dumbells will help your bench press but bench press wont help your dumbell press. I bet if you tuck your elbows in and lower the bar further down your bench press will jump big time in poundage. Its a technique tweak.

 

[Fears]

I bet if you tuck your elbows in and lower the bar further down your bench press will jump big time in poundage. Its a technique tweak.

That is good advice. I made big improvements in BB bench poundage once I learned that tweak. Took a little while to feel natural but now I don't think about it.

 

[CYNDER_BLOCK]

I lower the bar about a 1/4 of an inch from my chest with BIG A's 2-1-1 phase.


But I will try tweaking my elbows inward and see how this works.

 

[mike1107]

I lower the bar about a 1/4 of an inch from my chest with BIG A's 2-1-1 phase.


But I will try tweaking my elbows inward and see how this works.

less stress on shoulders and more emphasis on the chest ...