DB Press

[primus_122]

I have trouble on doing dumbbell presses on getting the weight up to start doing reps. I grab the dumbbells, put them on my legs and lean back, i get the dummbells over my chest and I cant push them up no matter how hard i try, they are kind of locked there so i get my buddy to help me push them up and then i can do a number of set and reps with them after that. Can anyone help me solve this problem?

 

[ChrisROCK]

yeah, use less weight!

Put the DBs on your knees, and in one motion lean back and hike up the weight with each knee, in two quick movements. Then immediately explode the weight UP!

 

[DOMS]

How much are you trying to press?

 

[primus_122]

I dont know if i need to use less weight its not that difficult for me to press at all, like i said once i get it up i can keep it moving, it just sticks on the first push.

 

[primus_122]

40 pounders

 

[Mudge]

You are weaker starting from the POSITIVE portion of the movement because there is no stretch-reflex response. Try squatting starting from the bottom and you will see you are much weaker, same reason.

This is why I dont like many of the machines that start from a positive, in terms of pressing movements. A leg press obviously doesn't have that problem.

If you are having problems kicking the weights up, are you using one leg at a time? A spotter with the second dumbell for a handoff works well also.

 

[primus_122]

I lift my legs up and kind of have the weight roll into me. Do you think that doing dumbbell floor presses will help me be explosive from the positive side?

 

[Mudge]

If you want to be explosive then do explosive lifts. The problem is, when you do an explosive press you naturally decelerate the weight.

To avoid this, the Russians would use spotters and/or machines. So you could use a smith machine if you felt comfortable, and at least one strong spotter. If you want to be explosive though I'd aim at the whole repetition range, not just a floor press. A floor press is closer to a substitution for a rack lockout than an explosive lift candidate IMO.

PFunk may have an opinion on this though since he is somewhat sports-performance oriented I believe.

 

[Mudge]

Now using the lighter loads will help develop some explosiveness off the chest, but you will end up decellerating to a greater degree. It is my opinion that this MAY be one of the reasons and or causes for the dreaded sticking point. That is as a result of the nervous system constantly thinking about slowing down as the bar is being lifted with max force. One way of overcoming this is by integrating plyometric exercise into your routine.

 

[primus_122]

im not sure if we are on the same track. Im just saying that i might need to strengthen the weak point at the bottom of the DB press and i might do this by floor presses just like how it works for Louie Simmons with box squats, floor presses, boardpresses, chains and bands. Ive seen those DB hooks that they sell that hook on to barbells on a bench, i was thinking about getting those but they are a bit pricey.

 

[Mudge]

Floor presses are for tricep lockout strength, not your chest/lats. You are starting from the positive when you are doing a dumbell press, and I repeat this is a stretch reflex response problem. That is why you are weaker on the first rep.

Fin.

 

[Musclebeach]

Hey Mudge thanks for the link.

-Jeff.

 

[KarlW]

You are weaker starting from the POSITIVE portion of the movement because there is no stretch-reflex response. Try squatting starting from the bottom and you will see you are much weaker, same reason.

The stretch-reflex is interesting and so noticable. What about deadlifts? they start from the positive. Would it be better to start the set by taking the bar off the pins while standing erect and starting with a negative?

Mudge can you describe the stretch reflex a little more?

 

[Mudge]

Not sure about starting deads from that position, I used to do my SLDL that way but walking around with 400+ pounds dangling from your arms may not be adviseable for everyone. At some point the weight becomes dangerous to do this with, which is one reason why the monolift exists.

I dont know if any of this is of interest, while it would be neat to dig into stretch-reflex further and know everything about it, I most certainly do not. One thing I can tell you, is that there is a definite time period involved, i.e. rest pausing.

http://jp.physoc.org/cgi/content/abstract/444/1/631
http://www.gen.umn.edu/courses/1135/lab/reflexlab/reflexlab.html
http://www.smpp.northwestern.edu/~smpp_pub/SchmitArchPhysMedRehab(2000).html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=97378&dopt=Abstract
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...ns2001/139I.pdf+stretch+reflex+response&hl=en
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...%20Reflexes.ppt+stretch+reflex+response&hl=en

 

[The_Man]

Not sure about starting deads from that position, I used to do my SLDL that way but walking around with 400+ pounds dangling from your arms may not be adviseable for everyone. At some point the weight becomes dangerous to do this with, which is one reason why the monolift exists.

I dont know if any of this is of interest, while it would be neat to dig into stretch-reflex further and know everything about it, I most certainly do not. One thing I can tell you, is that there is a definite time period involved, i.e. rest pausing.

I dont think its dangerous if your a strong man and can handel it! I did farmer walk with 300lbs in each hand for 50meters pretty easy. How do you think those guys train!

 

[nmuriqi]

I dont think its dangerous if your a strong man and can handel it! I did farmer walk with 300lbs in each hand for 50meters pretty easy. How do you think those guys train!

Some men can handel? (sp) getting kicked in the balls repeatedly too, it doesn't make it good for you.

 

[Squaggleboggin]

Why would a farmer's walk be particularly bad for you, nmurigi?

 

[nmuriqi]

They're not, i was just commenting on the_man's idiocy.

 

[Kracin]

They're not, i was just commenting on the_man's idiocy.

what idiocy do you speak of? farmers walk is a typical strong man event, carrying heavy weights in both hands and walking long distances, he was just saying in response to mudges comment that it might not be safe for most people. that if you can handle the weight, then go for it. other than that, be safe

 

[nmuriqi]

Very well then.

 

[Mudge]

I dont think its dangerous if your a strong man and can handel it! I did farmer walk with 300lbs in each hand for 50meters pretty easy. How do you think those guys train!

Yes, its plenty dangerous to the spine, and muscles as well. I'm not saying I wouldn't even do a strongman competition myself, athletes take all kinds of risks doing what they do. Pulled or torn hamstrings seem to be the most common strongman injury.

If you are proposing that athletes take no risks to their bodies, have fun in dreamland.