Strength Difference between Barbells and Dumbells

eskimo515 · 05-21-2003, 02:26 PM

I have noticed that my strength in my barbell bench press has stayed stagnant while my dumbbell strength is increasing. What do I mean? On my working sets, I put up 245 for 4-5 reps in the flat bench press. I have been stuck there for two months. Meanwhile, my incline dumbbell press has gone up by 15 lbs (4-5 reps sets have gone up from 75 to 90lbs.) I have been steadily increasing in everything else. Any thoughts on why? And any thoughts on breaking the ceiling on the bench press?

Malachor · 05-21-2003, 03:07 PM

i had the same problem at 205. i was stuck on it for several months. this may not be the best way to correct the problem, but i worked on a heavier weight like 215 and did singles and doubles for 3-5 sets. two weeks later i was lifting 215 for 4-5 reps and 205 was no longer an issue.

i did something like this

135x5
185x3
215x1 to 2
215x1
215x1
215x1

i made sure i could at least do three sets with 215 for one rep.

david · 05-21-2003, 03:10 PM

I wish I had a reason but mine has increased tremendously

ClayEdgin · 05-23-2003, 05:51 PM

Malachor, if you experienced such quick gains with heavy lifting, why not continue the low-rep, heavy weight scheme?

Malachor · 05-23-2003, 08:17 PM

i'm gaining more strength than size. it's that simple. i still use somewhat of a heavy weight on my near failure set though.

05-21-2003, 02:26 PM	#1
eskimo515 King of the Dog Freaks Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 335	Strength Difference between Barbells and Dumbells BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS High Quality Supplements For Bodybuilders and Athletes. www.ironmaglabs.com I have noticed that my strength in my barbell bench press has stayed stagnant while my dumbbell strength is increasing. What do I mean? On my working sets, I put up 245 for 4-5 reps in the flat bench press. I have been stuck there for two months. Meanwhile, my incline dumbbell press has gone up by 15 lbs (4-5 reps sets have gone up from 75 to 90lbs.) I have been steadily increasing in everything else. Any thoughts on why? And any thoughts on breaking the ceiling on the bench press?
	Because I'm not on an Atkins Diet nor would I ever do one. I'm a BB not a dieter! - Jodi

05-21-2003, 03:07 PM	#2
Malachor Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 184	i had the same problem at 205. i was stuck on it for several months. this may not be the best way to correct the problem, but i worked on a heavier weight like 215 and did singles and doubles for 3-5 sets. two weeks later i was lifting 215 for 4-5 reps and 205 was no longer an issue. i did something like this 135x5 185x3 215x1 to 2 215x1 215x1 215x1 i made sure i could at least do three sets with 215 for one rep.
Malachor Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 184

05-23-2003, 08:17 PM	#5
Malachor Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 184	i'm gaining more strength than size. it's that simple. i still use somewhat of a heavy weight on my near failure set though.
Malachor Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 184

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05-21-2003, 03:10 PM	#3
david EAST COAST BRAT Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Waterworld, FL Posts: 25,419 Photos: 2	I wish I had a reason but mine has increased tremendously

05-23-2003, 05:51 PM	#4
ClayEdgin Hammer Swinging Gorilla Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 26	Malachor, if you experienced such quick gains with heavy lifting, why not continue the low-rep, heavy weight scheme?