Dumbbell bench press partial reps r all I can manage.

[drkstar00]

Any higher than a few inches above my chest, and I don't feel my chest engaged at all.

[fbcpastormk]

That's okay. Learning to concentrate on the muscle you are training is important. Dumbells are a good way to focus your attention on a specific muscle. Listen to your body and do what works.

[baker]

Dumbbell is correct.

[mferrandi]

pressing all the weight up is important, don't get so caught up in that whole mind/muscle connection, flat dumbell bench press is similar to the flat bench press, it's a power movement, what matters is getting stronger progressively. When you do heavy squats or deadlifts, are you worrying if you are feeling the ''muscle connection''? of course not, it's a power movement

[drkstar00]

That's okay... Listen to your body and do what works.

Thanks. I needed that -the reminder that i need to do what works.

[Mark1T]

DB Press is a compound exercise. It works chest, front delts and triceps.

However, with full range of motion, you will feel the chest being engaged throughout the entire full rep range to lock out.

Partial reps are ok and you will see development. But, a full range of motion rep you will experience better overall development.

IMO

[lucia316]

The primary reason one would use dumbbells versus a barbell is to increase ROM of the press. With dumbbells you can get deeper with your reps. If you're only partially repping the weight that's why you're not feeling the chest engagement. If you can't move the weight you should lower the weight being used. If there is pain involved, then you should probably not do the lift.

[drkstar00]

K -I managed 4 reps with much better range of motion.

I'm slowly figuring this out.

[CommitmentRulz]

If you can't move the weight you should lower the weight being used.

This ^^^.

OP, use a lighter dumbbell. No need to go heavier than you have to - that's one of the nice things about using a dumbbell. You'd be better off doing 3 sets of 8 at 20 pounds than one set of 4 at 30 pounds and then being "done."

[5penn]

to add to discussion..is it problem if you there's a large gap in weight difference between BB and DB?

i.e. with BB I can do 75 lbs, but DB I can only do 25x2 (with good form)

when is the weight difference a "concern"

[CommitmentRulz]

to add to discussion..is it problem if you there's a large gap in weight difference between BB and DB?

i.e. with BB I can do 75 lbs, but DB I can only do 25x2 (with good form)

when is the weight difference a "concern"

What you're experiencing is not uncommon at all. Dumbbells require much more stabilizing and don't allow you to "cheat/help" with your dominant arm.

[5penn]

What you're experiencing is not uncommon at all. Dumbbells require much more stabilizing and don't allow you to "cheat/help" with your dominant arm.

thanks. just wanted to make sure if DBs are not for me