Thread: DB bench 1rm

it's different, MUCH different trust me

it's not even close. especially if you are very efficient at the bb bench press...

yeah that would be me. I can rep 75 pound dumbells on flat bench but can only bench 185 on barbell... that's VERY different because kids in my school who can bench 225 rep like 70s on dumbells. I think it's because I don't do bb that often. Hey LAM, should i stop doing db for a while and do bb to get my bb up?

Different range of motion, different fiber recruitment. DB press pulls in many more stabilizers but is a more natural motion. Do em both equally, youll get good gains from both.

There is no real way to translate one into the other, ya just gotta do it.

Originally Posted by pumpthatiron

yeah that would be me. I can rep 75 pound dumbells on flat bench but can only bench 185 on barbell... that's VERY different because kids in my school who can bench 225 rep like 70s on dumbells. I think it's because I don't do bb that often. Hey LAM, should i stop doing db for a while and do bb to get my bb up?

sure...I would recommend for everyone to do some form of bb bench, wether it's decline, incline or flat...

So, pretty much you're usually able to use more weight on a barbell then right? I haven't done a barbell bench in so long except for close grips. I've genereally been able to go up 5lbs dumbbells each week for the past 4-6 weeks or so.

Originally Posted by Seanp156

So, pretty much you're usually able to use more weight on a barbell then right? I haven't done a barbell bench in so long except for close grips. I've genereally been able to go up 5lbs dumbbells each week for the past 4-6 weeks or so.

yes, because the body is more efficient at using both left and right together to move weight. There's proly a better way of saying that. Another example is leg press. Try doing one leg at a time (way less than half your 1RM). However, using each side of the body separately is very effective at building strength IMO. Maybe a change up for U Sean could be to go to BB for 4-6 weeks.

Originally Posted by KarlW

yes, because the body is more efficient at using both left and right together to move weight. There's proly a better way of saying that. Another example is leg press. Try doing one leg at a time (way less than half your 1RM). However, using each side of the body separately is very effective at building strength IMO. Maybe a change up for U Sean could be to go to BB for 4-6 weeks.

So you're saying I should do BB bench press instead of inclined on smith, or declined with DBs for the next 4-6 weeks as you posted in your new routine?

not saying you should do anything. Sorry to confuse you.

Stick with the workout as posted. Change to BB bench next time.

I dont like flat bench dumbell stuff, inclines I will do with 100s and I get about the same reps as with 225 on the incline barbell. I just am not a big dumbell guy.

When I use the incline barbell though its much steeper, so there is a pretty large difference for sure.

I much prefer dumbbells to barbells. For safety reasons (like not having a spotter) as well as what was mentioned above: more stabilizers are recruited. I just feel that DBs are much harder to use than BBs (as in, you typically can move less weight with DBs than with a BB), so why not do the tougher exercise to get a better workout? Especially since it has a greater ROM to recruit more fibers.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

I much prefer dumbbells to barbells. For safety reasons (like not having a spotter) as well as what was mentioned above: more stabilizers are recruited. I just feel that DBs are much harder to use than BBs (as in, you typically can move less weight with DBs than with a BB), so why not do the tougher exercise to get a better workout? Especially since it has a greater ROM to recruit more fibers.

it's personal preference for many of us...

for me it's much safer to bb bench 400+ lbs with no spotter than it is to try to get 140 lb db's up by myself for flat db presses. ..

To me, it's easier to drop DBs off to the side on the floor, rather than having to move the weight up from your chest, up over your neck and head, and onto the rack. IMO, if you're stuck under a BB with too much weight, there's not a whole lot you can do if it's truely too much weight for you. That's just what I think though.

one of the reasons why I don't train to failure. I don't have to worry about getting stuck under anything..

LAM, isn't it a good thing to train to failure?

Originally Posted by pumpthatiron

LAM, isn't it a good thing to train to failure?

sure on some things, but it isn't necessary to train to failure to stimulate hypertrophy or for strength training...it's simply another training technique