Thread: Dumbbell press tips

Originally posted by the_menace
I think I'm missing out on some things to get the best out of it. I mean, do you guys have any tips

.....uuuuuhhhhh use bigger dumbbells.......

Can you be a little more specific? Are you using them for presses? What do you think your missing?


Mick

I understand exactly what your asking cause I had the same problem.
i had a hellova time getting into position and then what the hell to do when the set was done............Am i right?

All I can tell you is it takes time to get use to swinging the old DB around and getting into position, now I don't have any trouble.

use a spotter.

Use 2 spotters

TJohn

Menace go to www.adfit.com and checkout accessories. Look for the power hooks. I think this is what you may be looking for.

For my very heavy sets my spotter ususally hands me one db well I bring the other one up by myself, whether it is db bench press or shoulder presses. This helps avoid injury and wasted energy.

Its just that I feel like my arms positioning is wrong or something. When I push it up and down, sometimes its not going smoothly. I think that it will take time before I get used to it. I also have the problem of my arms particularly forearms failing first and then I can't do any more reps.
Oh well.

You might be gripping the bells way too hard if your forearms are giving out first. RELAX a little.

Get into doing a thumbs over grip, if your not already. Just let the bells rest in your hands, while you just hang on just by wrapping the tips of your fingers around the dumbells.

Doing this will also ensure that you end up getting the bells in the correct alignment for maximum efficiency, on whatever chest pressing move your performing.

Keep at it. Once it clicks you'll love the results dumbells can produce.

Could it be that you are trying to use too heavy of a weight. Lighten it up a bit to see if your arm movements go a little smoother

Originally posted by DWB
You might be gripping the bells way too hard if your forearms are giving out first. RELAX a little.

I agree with DWB, gripping the DBs too tightly may be the problem. I felt this too before, now I only grip the DBs lightly, just enough to prevent them to fall off, and this has enabled me to concentrate more on my chest.

- Josh

The only time I have fatigued forearms with any dumbell movement, is curls

Remember to use the bodypart your targetting, feel the movement, feel the muscle, try not to bring ancilary muscles into play more than neccessary.

It sounds like its just a stability issue. The strength of all the small stabilizer muscles will increase and lean to work together.

Like the others said don’t use a "death grip". You may also find if you grip the bells with your thumb and index touching one side it may be easier. The bells will tilt slightly out but the slight variation in the downward force may make it easier to balance. Its sound strange but I've seen it help somewhat for others with the same problem. Don’t let it become a habit though. It may put unnecessary strain on the wrists. But after your stabilizers strengthen you can use a normal grip.

Mick