Bar press or Dumbell Press...

[big_fella_andy]

hi, ive been going to the gym, and im used to doing bench press, and normally use the bar, i find it puts strain on my shoulder quite a bit.

today i was starting doing it with dumbells.

http://www.maxfitmag.com/content/issue3/press.jpg like shown in that photo, only without the incline.

and i find it easyer, im doing it with the right technique, is this normal?
and is it as good as using the bar, or is the bar more effective?

 

[Witchblade]

Equally effective. Try switching between the two.

Dumbells have better ROM and work the stabilizers more. A barbell is better for overall mass and strength.

 

[big_fella_andy]

is it a good idea to say, do dumbbells, (ive only started doing them and i find the technique akwardish, but im getting used to it) so im working on 20ks each arm at the mo.

but is it good to work with the dumbbells to work upto heavyer weights, then go onto barbell? (like i said earlyer on, on the smith machines i find it puts a bit of strain on my shoulder) (had a rotator cuff injury before).

 

[goandykid]

How is barbell better for mass?

 

[katt]

We switch between the two as well.

 

[CowPimp]

I like implementing a neutral grip sometimes. It is definitely easier on the shoulder joint because of the shorter lever arm distance from the glenohumeral joint to the resistance.

 

[mike456]

dumbells are more for functional strength , try them alternating, push one in the air, and hold it in the air than push the other, and then bring the first one back down, etc.

 

[largepkg]

How is barbell better for mass?

I'm not necessarily advocating his statement but one reason might be the ability to press a heavier load.

I personally prefer DB's

 

[AKIRA]

I'm not necessarily advocating his statement but one reason might be the ability to press a heavier load.

I personally prefer DB's

Me too. But I might be becoming biased since my gym has DBs that go up to 150lbs in 10lb increments (wish it was 5lbs).

I remember doing that hammer-style of pressing and I noticed I had to lower the weight some. Hell, I shouldve done it today since I was running out of ideas for working my presses. ...I can only imagine how shitty it will be deciding during peak hours.

 

[fufu]

I was just reading this article and saw some points that could offer to this thread. Read number #5 - dumbells vs. barbells.

 

[big_fella_andy]

just read that article you posted, it might explain whilst it feels like barbells put more strain on my shoulder, where dumbells dont, its probably because dumbbells dont restrict your shoulder movement. where as a barbell does. thanks for the help.
i just dont wana train on dumbbbells only though, and then go on the smith machine and find i still struggle a lot on there.

 

[big_fella_andy]

oh, sorry for double post here, but i was browsing on google, and i found this page. for anyone else wanting to find out about this...


http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-85338.html

seems to answer most questions, makes a good read with different peoples opinions, im actually suprised about how many people favour dumbbells.

 

[fufu]

just read that article you posted, it might explain whilst it feels like barbells put more strain on my shoulder, where dumbells dont, its probably because dumbbells dont restrict your shoulder movement. where as a barbell does. thanks for the help.
i just dont wana train on dumbbbells only though, and then go on the smith machine and find i still struggle a lot on there.

Yeah, it is definitely easier to move around in space within the ROM on a DB press than a barbell.

A mix is fine IMO, but if it hurts don't do it, or find out why it hurts and fix that problem.

 

[01RKRiney]

I often get a pain in my shoulder when doing heavy bench presses toward the end of the work out...

I usually switch to DB's the next workout and give the shoulder a break...works fine for me

 

[Squaggleboggin]

just read that article you posted, it might explain whilst it feels like barbells put more strain on my shoulder, where dumbells dont, its probably because dumbbells dont restrict your shoulder movement. where as a barbell does. thanks for the help.
i just dont wana train on dumbbbells only though, and then go on the smith machine and find i still struggle a lot on there.

If you switch to DBs, why on earth go back to the smith machine?

 

[vinceforheismen]

dumbells are more for functional strength , try them alternating, push one in the air, and hold it in the air than push the other, and then bring the first one back down, etc.

I LOVE THIS. iv been doing it for a couple weeks and let me tell ya its way better then a normal press

 

[big_fella_andy]

If you switch to DBs, why on earth go back to the smith machine?

i know its not a concern for me at the moment, as i dont really lift that much weight at the moment, im only working on 20 - 25k dumbbells, trying to get used to the technique.

the gyms dumbbells only go to 45kilo, i know its not an imediate concern, its a long long long long time before i try to lift thtat, but when i can, il need to use the smith machine to lift heavyer weights.

 

[Squaggleboggin]

i know its not a concern for me at the moment, as i dont really lift that much weight at the moment, im only working on 20 - 25k dumbbells, trying to get used to the technique.

the gyms dumbbells only go to 45kilo, i know its not an imediate concern, its a long long long long time before i try to lift thtat, but when i can, il need to use the smith machine to lift heavyer weights.

Honestly, I wouldn't. You'll have built up all that strength in major and stabilizer muscles involved in the lift. And then you're going to use a machine? You'll basically nullify everything you did in stabilizer work. Might as well just use the barbell for the entire time. (Note I'm not saying a BB won't work stabilizers, but it won't work them as much as the DBs will. It just doesn't make sense to me to do the exercise that involves the most stabilization and then continue on with the exercise involving the least amount of it. Preferentially, use the DBs until you can't, then switch to the BB.)

 

[big_fella_andy]

i might not even want to go onto the smith machine to lift heavyer, what i plan on doing is working my way up through the dumbbells, when im lifting the heavyest ones, il see what i think of my physique, if im happy with my size/weight etc... then i wont bother with the smith machine. if i want to increase size more, its my only alternative.

ide stick to the barbell now, but, when i lift heavyer weights, it does put a lot of preasure on my shoulder, not sure how to put it, but it feels like its forced to do the motion, where with the dumbbells its a lot more comftable.

my plan is, work out on dumbbells, im hoping it gives my shoulder enough strength to support heavyer weights on the smith machines.

if that makes sense?

 

[Squaggleboggin]

i might not even want to go onto the smith machine to lift heavyer, what i plan on doing is working my way up through the dumbbells, when im lifting the heavyest ones, il see what i think of my physique, if im happy with my size/weight etc... then i wont bother with the smith machine. if i want to increase size more, its my only alternative.

ide stick to the barbell now, but, when i lift heavyer weights, it does put a lot of preasure on my shoulder, not sure how to put it, but it feels like its forced to do the motion, where with the dumbbells its a lot more comftable.

my plan is, work out on dumbbells, im hoping it gives my shoulder enough strength to support heavyer weights on the smith machines.

if that makes sense?

I do see where you're going with it (and I forgot about the shoulder pressure due to the mechanics of BB pressing). Personally I'd just find another way to add weight or something. But I'm extremely anti-machine. I guess if there's a problem with performing an exercise, you have to do what you have to do in order to continue on with your goals.

 

[big_fella_andy]

yeah, the only other alternative, is to not do that specific excersize at the gym, and work it out at home.

or, see if its possible for me to bring 2 of my own dumbbell bars into the gym. then just use the plates which belong to the gym. then i can increase the weight as much as i like, not as good as the dumbbells the gym has though, but it would work. or i think it should anyways.