Thread: Dumbell Presses

I just registered, and I have never posted in a forum like this before. I have a question if anyone would mind answering..

I get a lot of crap about this from a select few at my gym, so I want to see how unusual what I do is. First of all, I weigh between 185 and 190 lbs. I use 145 or 140 lb dumbells for flat bench (each, of course), and 130 or 125 lb dumbells for incline. The following doesn't apply to the 125's, 130+'s appear to be a soft limit for me. I find it takes a ton of my energy (or impossible with 145) to get both dumbells onto my lap to sit back with, so I generally have a spotter hand me one of the two onto a knee/thigh. This is what I usually get crap about, that the whole point of dumbells is supposed to be getting into position on your own (and not being as spot-dependent). Yes, my grip could use some work, and I do own straps. I just think it would stupid to use straps just to lift dumbells onto my lap then take them off before sitting back.

I also have a somewhat similar issue with military press, which I use 110 and 115 lbs for. While I can get them on my lap fine, and I use my knees to help launch them up to my shoulders. I have trouble with the first few inches where my shoulders are < 90 degree angles. So, I generally have a spot push my elbows for either the first few inches or the whole first rep, then continue from there going down to 90 degrees fine. Is this a common practice? There is no one at my gym in my weight range that does these weights for me to compare to (couple guys weighing 260lb+ that do it solo). Oh and after normal military, I do what I think is called an arnold press, where I twist my palms in and back on the down portion, and bring the weights down to my chest with each rep. This generally works my front delts, and my hope is/was for it to help me with that first few inches of my military on that first rep (no luck yet).

Is what I do/need help with usual for heavier weights relative to body weight? Do you see anything wrong with it? I mean, if I can't find a spot I have done less weight so I can manage solo, but I don't feel it to be as effective in working my targeted muscles.. Is that something I should just work though and not rely on a crutch?

Note: I switch up between dumbell and barbell for flat bench, but never do military and rarely incline with barbell. I can do more reps of equal weight in dumbells than barbells in incline bench and about match it in flat bench.

Thanks in advance.

The best way I've found while working with dumbells of that weight is when your carrying them over (assuming you carry them both at the same time) just position them in front of your knees and sit down and let them make the transition to your lap, if you dont carry them over or cant (I imagine if your pressing that much you shouldnt have a problem carrying them both over at the same time) then pick the first one up with both hands and set it on one knee then hold it in place and bend over and grab the other one and lean back/upright row it until you can get it on your lap (sometimes looks stupid but you gotta do what you gotta do to get those peanuts up there right?). Then just lean back and use the combination of your hip flexors and arm strength (mainly hip flexors) to transition them to lift position. Either way I'd definitely use a spotter on your shoulder press, chest press even with that weight you should be able to handle it on your own. If you cant carry 2 145s over on your own then your focus must need to be elsewhere, not trying to be a dick or anything. If its your grip strength, use straps, but by using straps your never going to get your grip strong enough to do it raw.