Why can't you do really heavy dumbbell bench press?

People say it is awkward to get them in position, unlike barbell bench press. But can't you just dead lift them, then lean them on the front of your thighs, then sit down with them on your thighs, and then lay back and launch them up by lifting your knees up? I get fifty pounders into position all the time that way. I wonder why someone twice as strong as me would not be able to put the heaviest dumbbells into position that way too, without help.

And if I can't get my last rep in, I don't need a spotter. I just let them fall to the side and I let them go. No strain on me. I think dumbbells are much safer than bench press.

But many people say dumbbell bench press can't be done once they get heavy. Would someone explain this to me?

Once your getting into the 110s + its another matter, still can be done but takes more momentum/ strength and power.
I understand its relative at your bodyweight compared to someone 200lbs.

[QUOTE=lightningwatche;479409671]People say it is awkward to get them in position, unlike barbell bench press. But can't you just dead lift them, then lean them on the front of your thighs, then sit down with them on your thighs, and then lay back and launch them up by lifting your knees up? I get fifty pounders into position all the time that way. I wonder why someone twice as strong as me would not be able to put the heaviest dumbbells into position that way too, without help.

And if I can't get my last rep in, I don't need a spotter. I just let them fall to the side and I let them go. No strain on me. I think dumbbells are much safer than bench press.

But many people say dumbbell bench press can't be done once they get heavy. Would someone explain this to me?[/QUOTE]

It's because those dumbasses don't know what they're talking about and they can't do them themselves...

I know A LOT of guys who throw up 150's to the 190's at the gym. Just yesterday night, one guy went up to 165's for reps...

Some of them need a spotter, and some don't... However, these guys set up the weights the same way... They put them on their knees and they lay down and throw them weights up.

Anybody who says that it's impossible to do this are the ones who use excuses to not lift that ****.

It's because the dumbells combined can weigh more than the person lifting them. You may be strong enough to lift them but when each DB you're throwing up weighs 3/4's your body weight it can easily throw you off balance.

Not saying you need help cause there is any easy way to get them up set them on your knees then lay back. There is no need to launch them to your shoulders with your knees if you're just doing bench.

[QUOTE=Hengman;479410891]It's because those dumbasses don't know what they're talking about and they can't do them themselves...

I know A LOT of guys who throw up 150's to the 190's at the gym. Just yesterday night, one guy went up to 165's for reps...

Some of them need a spotter, and some don't... However, these guys set up the weights the same way... They put them on their knees and they lay down and throw them weights up.

Anybody who says that it's impossible to do this are the ones who use excuses to not lift that ****.[/QUOTE]

Yea this is what I do, my gym goes to 150's so thats what I use. Set them on my hips and roll back onto bench and they pop right into place, no need for a spotter unless I want to force out a couple assisted reps.

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Practice makes perfect. I am able to "kick" up heavier DB's without issues after years of practicing.

I manage to rep 90's and I only weigh 160.

Pick them up, place on top of leg. Start leaning back, use legs to kick up dumbbells into place, stabilize, and go.

[QUOTE=_OZ_;479413751][youtube]hgvB5YtzGuo[/youtube][/QUOTE]

This is how I get my dumbells into position. I also use the weight of the dumbells falling forward when lockedout to get back up instead of dropping them off to the sides.

I have heard a lot of people complain about this... IMO it is because most people use way too heavy of a weight for DB press and only go half way down, so they are actually using way more weight than they are strong enough to set up. Maybe their legs and back are really weak too so picking up a weight off the ground is difficult for them.

At the end of the day, if you do deadlifts, squats etc regularly there is no reason you shouldn't be strong enough to pick up a friggin dumbbell off the ground/rack and bring it to your thigh. Once it's there, if you are using an appropriate weight all you need to do is lean back, let the weights fall into your armpit area, pause for a sec and press. I did this yesterday with 110s and I'm not a big guy.

I can't say I have ever had this problem

Use momentum to lift them from the ground to your legs, rest a little bit then lean back and kick them up with your legs. A little more exhausting than regular BB bench, but it's still doable.

[QUOTE=Lector606;479445931]if you are using an appropriate weight all you need to do is lean back, let the weights fall into your armpit area, pause for a sec and press. I did this yesterday with 110s and I'm not a big guy.[/QUOTE]

That works for flat but it's a little trickier on the incline bench.

[QUOTE=Nskrd;479463191]That works for flat but it's a little trickier on the incline bench.[/QUOTE]

What kind of incline do you use? I have never had this problem, although I guess it could be tough if you have a steep incline... But then again, if you are going to do a steep inclined DB press I think you might as well just do overhead press, less wear and tear on your shoulder joint..

[QUOTE=Lector606;479466741]What kind of incline do you use? I have never had this problem, although I guess it could be tough if you have a steep incline... But then again, if you are going to do a steep inclined DB press I think you might as well just do overhead press, less wear and tear on your shoulder joint..[/QUOTE]

I do it at a slightly below 45 degree angle. I find that if I simply lean back holding the weights on my sides they end up below the armpit and chest, and it's hard to pull them up from there. Could be that I have short arms.

I honestly never knew people had such a difficult time getting DB's into position before I joined this site. IRL I only ever saw a couple of guys ever need a spotter to hand their DB's to them. If you do, I question that you don't need to be doing some other strengthening exercises first before working on your presses.


[QUOTE=Nskrd;479469181]I do it at a slightly below 45 degree angle. I find that if I simply lean back holding the weights on my sides they end up below the armpit and chest, and it's hard to pull them up from there. Could be that I have short arms.[/QUOTE]

What you do in that situation is basically "lift" them up with your knee into position one side at a time. It's pretty simple once you get the knack.


Edit: Basically, like this:

[youtube]SwM3TYjd52E[/youtube]

[QUOTE=VoxExMachina;479478831]I honestly never knew people had such a difficult time getting DB's into position before I joined this site. IRL I only ever saw a couple of guys ever need a spotter to hand their DB's to them. If you do, I question that you don't need to be doing some other strengthening exercises first before working on your presses.




What you do in that situation is basically "lift" them up with your knee into position one side at a time. It's pretty simple once you get the knack.


Edit: Basically, like this:

[/QUOTE]

Yup. That's exactly what I do. I was just trying to say that you might not need to do that on the flat bench, whereas you might on the incline.

[QUOTE=Nskrd;479469181]I do it at a slightly below 45 degree angle. I find that if I simply lean back holding the weights on my sides they end up below the armpit and chest, and it's hard to pull them up from there. Could be that I have short arms.[/QUOTE]

Kick with your thighs and then at the same time slide down a little while the dumbbells are coming into place. This might help. If you're stiff and not moving I can see how this may happen, however, if you put your body in motion to adjust equally you should be good.

It seems harder for most to stabilize the weight when using dumbbells. I found that once you lay back with them its easier to lift from right at your chest straight up with heavy weight. I'm sure we've all had the embarrassing moment of trying to go heavy and letting the dumbbells get too low beside you the first rep and having to drop them in front of everyone lol. Don't overdo it. Work your way up. Stabilizing heavy dumbbells uses different muscles than the bar. Six years ago I couldn't put up 90s. About a year ago I decided to slowly work my way up by about 5 pounds every 2 to 3 weeks and now I can put up 115s with ease. I feel dumbbell press is way easier on my shoulders and works my chest more. I have hardly ever been able to throw up 225 on bench but now I dumbbell press 230. I don't even attempt regular bench anymore because the dumbbells seem so much more effective. On decline just throw the left dumbbell on the pad then using your knee get the right one up as you strattle the decline bench lift the right dumbell back to your knee and swing your right leg into place. Now lay back while dropping both dumbells to your chest. Lift them up and swing your left leg into place. People look at you like your crazy sometimes for using heavy dumbbells on decline but its really not that hard to do it without a spotter

[QUOTE=lightningwatche;479409671]People say it is awkward to get them in position, unlike barbell bench press. But can't you just dead lift them, then lean them on the front of your thighs, then sit down with them on your thighs, and then lay back and launch them up by lifting your knees up? I get fifty pounders into position all the time that way. I wonder why someone twice as strong as me would not be able to put the heaviest dumbbells into position that way too, without help.

And if I can't get my last rep in, I don't need a spotter. I just let them fall to the side and I let them go. No strain on me. I think dumbbells are much safer than bench press.

But many people say dumbbell bench press can't be done once they get heavy. Would someone explain this to me?[/QUOTE]

I dont know.....can you explain to us how you've been working out since at least 2007 and all you can do is 50lb dumbbell bench presses?????