100 lbs DB Bench vs 225 lbs bench

[chesty4]

I feel that 100lb DB's are much harder than 225lb barbell.

I agree. Using DB's have helped my overall bench.

BTW, if you're only in it to impress people in the gym, you're wasting your time.

 

[ripsid]

I feel that 100lb DB's are much harder than 225lb barbell.

completely agree.

 

[unclem]

i agree w/ that useing db versus bb is much harder. i can do the db 170 for 5 reps.

 

[ckcrown84]

This thread made me try dumbbells again for shoulder press.
Did 100lbs shoulder press dumbbells. Only able to get 3. But, I will change that, within 3 workouts I will be pumping 6-8 no worries. Just was something new to me--for I am a barbell junky.

I will say this. While it was harder than I expected I just prefer the heavier weight from the barbell still...however I need to stop ignoring dumbbells. That being said for now on I aim to make my shoulder routine:
Set 1-2 db warmup
Set 3-4 db 100lbs
Set 4-8 Barbell (heavy- 275+)
Then the isolation movements and whatnot.

I still think something is to be said for the heavier weight you can push around with barbell... But DB definitely have there place

 

[jrodmademedoit]

Is there anyone on here that actually trains or is this a joke? If you can flat bench 100lb DB then you should be able to BB 315......So of course the DB's are far more impressive!

 

[pwloiacano]

One thing with the dumbells is that usually people have one side of their body that is either bigger or stronger than the other side or both. If it is noticeable, dumbells will be a very difficult exercise to perform because on barbells, you can compensate for that. Dumbells, you cannot.

In my opinion, dumbells are a nice change of pace exercise to do, but barbells are the way to go. I personally have trouble with dumbells because I have tweaky shoulders. The pain seems worse when I do dumbells vs barbells. Plus, with the heavier dumbells, they are more difficult to stablize and the risk of injury becomes more pronounced.

 

[TrojanMan60563]

I only DB bench because I dont like asking for a spot.... It would be cool to have a bud to do chest days with at least twice a month so I could do BB benches. I think DB are much harder and works more of the muscle.

 

[supaman23]

I feel that 100lb DB's are much harder than 225lb barbell.

Yep, I can press 225lbs barbell for reps but probably can't even get the 100lb DB's up into position to do the exercise.

 

[MrAvg]

x2

x 3

 

[keith1569]

ya i do most everythign DB over BB

 

[Valkyrie]

A guy benching 225 I don't even notice unless he is otherwise remarkable. A guy with a hundo DB in each had for some reps guaranteed I will be impressed from anywhere in the room.

 

[theCaptn']

One thing with the dumbells is that usually people have one side of their body that is either bigger or stronger than the other side or both. If it is noticeable, dumbells will be a very difficult exercise to perform because on barbells, you can compensate for that. Dumbells, you cannot.

In my opinion, dumbells are a nice change of pace exercise to do, but barbells are the way to go. I personally have trouble with dumbells because I have tweaky shoulders. The pain seems worse when I do dumbells vs barbells. Plus, with the heavier dumbells, they are more difficult to stablize and the risk of injury becomes more pronounced.

I am opposite, dumbells cause less shoulder issues as they are not locked in during the movement.

 

[heckler7]

seeing someone walk around with heavy dumbells always grabs my attention, but seeing someone do weighted dips is more impressive IMO

 

[x~factor]

I feel that 100lb DB's are much harder than 225lb barbell.

Or in my case, the opposite. I've done 2 reps with 100 lbs DB's but can only manage 1 rep of 215 lbs BB. My body just don't agree with BB bench press.

 

[Valkyrie]

BB locks the shoulders into a fixed plane of motion. For me it is an extremely unnatural one. Stronger DB press probably means it doesn't agree with you either. Also why BB really aggravates my janky right shoulder. DB is much better for it.
;

 

[Z499]

i do both, DB isolates your weak points which is something i try to target in a workout. but at my gym out largest set of DB's are 95's and theres hardly anyone that uses them except me unless they are doing DB shrugs. But at a gym where they're DB benching 100+ weights more power to them.

 

[Bowden]

I am opposite, dumbells cause less shoulder issues as they are not locked in during the movement.

This.
Barbell flat bench is an ego exercise that locks someone into a compromised position that can be avoided by using dumbbells.
Unless someone uses common sense when doing flat bench presses and does not focus on how much weight they can move at any cost the risk of shoulder damage accumulation over a period of time leading to serious injury is high.

When you hit your 40's you will start to feel every damn last heavy flat barbell bench rep in the form of chronic stiffness in your shoulders, limited flexibility and limited range of motion of your shoulders and arms, chronic aches and pains and you will live with it rest of your life.


Using heavy weight and low reps for years on a flat bench will grind your shoulders down into a risk of needing rotator cuff surgery unless someone uses common sense when doing them.
I see guys using really heavy weight on low rep sets dropping the bar to touch their chest and that places their shoulder in a very risky compromised position.
Doing them with lighter weight, using partial reps and being focused on contraction and feel will allow someone to reduce the risk of shoulder damage from flat benching.

 

[theCaptn']

Less risk with incline bench, or the same as flat bench?