Bench press barbell or dumbells??

MMA Fun · 10-17-2006, 06:14 AM

Which one is best for adding size, personally i think they are the same, but i prefer to use dumbells reason being is that i train alone and if im goin heavy i can just drop them. Any opinions greatly appreciated..

kalagan · 10-17-2006, 06:18 AM

Hi, i'm training alone at home too, but i prefer bench press barbell because it allowsme to use heavier weight.

ugamelb · 10-17-2006, 06:18 AM

this has been covered quite a few times, i personally prefer bb on the flat and db on the incline

MMA Fun · 10-17-2006, 06:20 AM

thanks for the replyes guys, but they both will give the same effect yeah?

kalagan · 10-17-2006, 06:30 AM

Yes.

mfdff10 · 10-17-2006, 06:32 AM

i preffer BB.... i get a better pump and can go heavier

Drewseph · 10-17-2006, 06:44 AM

Interchange them, I think there are + and - to both. I know that in Arnolds routines he constantly did BB and every 3rd week changed over to DB.

ThickAsABrick · 10-17-2006, 06:50 AM

Some will get better results from dumbells.
Some will get better results from barbells.
The only way to know which works best for you is to do.

Guardian · 10-17-2006, 06:58 AM

I like dumbell better personally, but I use barbell on incline every week and dumbell on flat.

papi93 · 10-17-2006, 07:10 AM

Some believe they get better results from dbs, others from barbells. It really depends on the individuals preference.

DesVaro · 10-17-2006, 07:12 AM

Barbell bench press allows you to use heavy weights. And we all know heavier weights = more mass (provided you have perfect technique)

Dumbbell bench press has a greater Range of Motion (ROM). This means that more muscle fibres will be tapped. Dumbbell bench press sorta "sculps" your chest.

On a side note, decline dumbbell bench press is one of the most underrated yet the most useful for chest development so dont leave that out!

And while we're at the topic of bench pressing dont forget to do some rotator cuff excercises, it will save you down the road pal!

Try this: http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle....le=280rotator2

ThickAsABrick · 10-17-2006, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesVaro

Barbell bench press allows you to use heavy weights. And we all know heavier weights = more mass (provided you have perfect technique)

Not entirely true.
There is a lot more to building mass than simply using the exercise that allows you to use the heaviest weight. I've had great success from dumbells, even though they're "less weight" than what I'd use on the barbell equivalent.
Things aren't that black and white.

Defiant1 · 10-17-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThickAsABrick

Some will get better results from dumbells.
Some will get better results from barbells.
The only way to know which works best for you is to do.

Yep.

jmusclehead · 10-17-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMA Fun

Which one is best for adding size, personally i think they are the same, but i prefer to use dumbells reason being is that i train alone and if im goin heavy i can just drop them. Any opinions greatly appreciated..

I have started DB bench presses and prefer them over BB bench. I just need to get some heavier DB's......The EMG studies show better results from the DB bench presses.....

lowkey122 · 10-17-2006, 12:54 PM

I feel like I get much more out of db's but they become a pain to get into position, especially on decline. I'd like to pick up some of those hooks but then I also need more tens so I end up saying f-it and just use the bar and throw in some dips.

John Prophet · 10-17-2006, 01:11 PM

in reality they are 2 different movements

db bench is much closer to being a close grip bench....especially if you touch the bells together at the top

raysmith · 10-17-2006, 01:18 PM

I think dips are a more superior chest builder than db or bb bench press. Anyone else agree?

But out of the two, I would go for bb, an added bonus if you have access to a hammer strength.

Shylock · 10-17-2006, 01:19 PM

I made more gains in 2 months of using a BB than 3 yrs of DB DB does zero for me.

Screamin · 10-17-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shylock

I made more gains in 2 months of using a BB than 3 yrs of DB DB does zero for me.

My experience has been the opposite

execute007 · 10-17-2006, 02:30 PM

i would say mix it up. do both bench and dubmbell. each one hits the muslce differently.

youknowryan · 10-17-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThickAsABrick

Some will get better results from dumbells.
Some will get better results from barbells.
The only way to know which works best for you is to do.

repped; the man is on it!

Firepower · 10-17-2006, 02:35 PM

personally, i like doing dumbells. but the dumbells in my gym only go up to 100 lbs. so i'm forced to use the barbell.

but i would say do both db and bb

sanpedro · 10-17-2006, 03:50 PM

do both

MMA Fun · 10-18-2006, 06:38 AM

thanks for all the good replyes and info. guys i greatly appreciated having my questions answered..