Thread: DB bench press

Originally Posted by viet_jon

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o2mbEQxwf...umbell%20bench

are you suppose to bring the dumbells inwards almost touching, or drive them straight up?

like this http://youtube.com/watch?v=T7NqJLtrT...umbell%20bench

If you watched the hogan video youd already know the answer to that.

Lol I don't think Ronnie could go inward if he tried with all those plates. "Watcha self"

Going straight up duplicates a barbell bench press more.

I don't bring them in (No more than what occurs naturally); I don't really see the point. Gravity only pushes straight down. The only resistance you are working against when moving inward is inertia, which isn't much considering the dumbbells already have some velocity in that direction.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I don't bring them in (No more than what occurs naturally); I don't really see the point. Gravity only pushes straight down. The only resistance you are working against when moving inward is inertia, which isn't much considering the dumbbells already have some velocity in that direction.

i've been pushing them straight up also

But if my main goal for DB bench press is A Chest workout, isn't it good that you squeeze the chest inwards like you would do fly's?

but if the main goal is for triceps, then i can see why driving straight up would be better.

Originally Posted by Spankee

If you watched the hogan video youd already know the answer to that.

what?

what hogan video

Originally Posted by viet_jon

i've been pushing them straight up also

But if my main goal for DB bench press is A Chest workout, isn't it good that you squeeze the chest inwards like you would do fly's?

but if the main goal is for triceps, then i can see why driving straight up would be better.

I think touching the dumbbells together on flys is pointless too, unless you are using cables. Think about it, there's no resistance there anymore besides inertia, which doesn't even need to be overcome because you already generated force in that direction earlier in the movement.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I think touching the dumbbells together on flys is pointless too, unless you are using cables. Think about it, there's no resistance there anymore besides inertia, which doesn't even need to be overcome because you already generated force in that direction earlier in the movement.

i see what your sayin.!!!

1 more question. You think I"m missing out on hypertrophy by leaving out BB bench alltogether? I workout by myself, and am scared to load up the plates....the worrying that I can't complete the lift holds me back from concentrating on the lift.

I've noticed that as my db bench weights numbers go up, all other db exercises seam easier and improve along with the bench. And since I don't bb bench, my bb lifts like deads, bb srhugs, overhead presses, etc isn't improving as quick as DB exercises.

as long as you are getting your horizontal presses in I wouldn't be to concered about whether it was with BBs or DBs.

Originally Posted by viet_jon

i see what your sayin.!!!

1 more question. You think I"m missing out on hypertrophy by leaving out BB bench alltogether? I workout by myself, and am scared to load up the plates....the worrying that I can't complete the lift holds me back from concentrating on the lift.

I've noticed that as my db bench weights numbers go up, all other db exercises seam easier and improve along with the bench. And since I don't bb bench, my bb lifts like deads, bb srhugs, overhead presses, etc isn't improving as quick as DB exercises.

There is no exercise that you have to do to get big. There are always alternatives. There is no reason that you must use a barbell. Nonetheless, you should be able to use a barbell, just don't goto failure...

Originally Posted by P-funk

as long as you are getting your horizontal presses in I wouldn't be to concered about whether it was with BBs or DBs.

oklay cool...gotcha!

Originally Posted by CowPimp

There is no exercise that you have to do to get big. There are always alternatives. There is no reason that you must use a barbell. Nonetheless, you should be able to use a barbell, just don't goto failure...

i don't go to failure too often anyymore. My main lifts numbers are up alot, and they're too taxing now to go to failure. i use to bench 35's.

Ive stopped using BB bench altogether. I always use DBs and have done for months, i find it a bit more challenging, and im not afraid to go balls out with the amount of weight im using because i know if i get in trouble i can just drop them.

Im putting on size and increasing strength just fine also.

DBs RULE.

Originally Posted by P-funk

as long as you are getting your horizontal presses in I wouldn't be to concered about whether it was with BBs or DBs.

Agreed, but don't go and do machine chest press lol

When I bring the weights together I use the oppertunity to "squeeze" or flex the muslce. I don't know why. Just something my brother always had me do. Habit forming.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

I don't bring them in (No more than what occurs naturally); I don't really see the point. Gravity only pushes straight down. The only resistance you are working against when moving inward is inertia, which isn't much considering the dumbbells already have some velocity in that direction.

You can push in a straight line angled inward, so that they almost meet at the point of peak contraction...instead of pushing straight up and then bringing them together.

Originally Posted by PWGriffin

You can push in a straight line angled inward, so that they almost meet at the point of peak contraction...instead of pushing straight up and then bringing them together.

That's kind of what I meant when I said the dumbbells already posses some velocity in "that direction." If I keep my scapula fully retracted though, my arms don't come together much at all on the way up.