Barbell vs. Dumbell bench problem?

[!@#$%^&]

Im trying to figure out whats goin on with my body. I wanted to post this up and find out if there is a spacific reason this is happening.

Im off cycle right now, so my strength isnt great. Problem is, my barbell bench either incline or flat is nowhere near where it should be compared to my dumbell bench. I do 225 incline for 10 reps, or i can do 110lb dumbells for 10 incline. Same thing with flat, 245x10 barbell, 115x10 flat. Shouldnt the gap be a lot bigger? Why is it i might be stronger with dumbells than with barbell presses? My thoughts were weak chest, and triceps are taking over most of the movement with dumbells so i press more.

Also, once identified, how can i fix this problem?

 

[MP5]

It could be the grip distance. If you use an unatural grip on barbell then it will be weaker than dumbell. The reason is, when you use dumbells, your arms and shoulders etc are going to fall into the most natural position for leverage and strength because they are uninhibited. Where do you put your fingers when doing barbell compared to the rings?

 

[Beast_19_301]

i'm the same way i can bench alot on dumbells and my barbell is pretty weak.

 

[!@#$%^&]

barbell grip is always 2 thumb lengths from the ring. Does it matter that my shoulders are exceptionally strong?

 

[bigdelt69]

Could be. But I am the same way bro.

 

[Ifrit]

Simple. You have to factor in the added weight of the barbell itself which weighs 15 pounds typically. I am the same way with dumbells. Add 15 pounds to your bench and it will match your dumbells, so say you dumbell press a total of 200 pounds and you can only barbell press 185 simply add 15 pounds for the bar itself.

 

[Ifrit]

Also take into effect that when you do dumbell presses you have to get up and carry the weight over to the bench (which takes energy) and then roll back and steady yourself which can take alot of energy also just to get set up right. ISSA personal trainer if it matters, lol.

 

[StoneColdNTO]

Simple. You have to factor in the added weight of the barbell itself which weighs 15 pounds typically. I am the same way with dumbells. Add 15 pounds to your bench and it will match your dumbells, so say you dumbell press a total of 200 pounds and you can only barbell press 185 simply add 15 pounds for the bar itself.

I know that you're gonna freak out cause I corrected you .....but........

......I'm pretty sure he would have calculated the weight of the barbell into the equation and btw an olympic bb weighs 45 lbs, maybe you are talking about those little sissy 1" bb.

Ifrit....for the record, 2 - 45 lb plates a side (that is 4 plates total), on an olympic barbell weighs 225 lbs.

 

[califlorida91604]

You beat me to it StoneCold.... I have never even seen a barbell that only weighs 15lbs.

 

[MP5]

barbell grip is always 2 thumb lengths from the ring. Does it matter that my shoulders are exceptionally strong?

two thumb lengths in from the rings? That seems very narrow to me depending on your height. I have long arms, and I usually put my index finger right on the ring, which is a wide grip but isolates your chest better and uses your tris less.

 

[doctros]

I have the same problems. I struggle with barbell bench. I have a hard time with chest period though. If anyone has any ideas of how to catch up my chest with the rest of my body. please let me know

 

[eastarr69]

Im trying to figure out whats goin on with my body. I wanted to post this up and find out if there is a spacific reason this is happening.

Im off cycle right now, so my strength isnt great. Problem is, my barbell bench either incline or flat is nowhere near where it should be compared to my dumbell bench. I do 225 incline for 10 reps, or i can do 110lb dumbells for 10 incline. Same thing with flat, 245x10 barbell, 115x10 flat. Shouldnt the gap be a lot bigger? Why is it i might be stronger with dumbells than with barbell presses? My thoughts were weak chest, and triceps are taking over most of the movement with dumbells so i press more.

Also, once identified, how can i fix this problem?

all the answers are probably going to very....so, my experience has shown me that your chest dont have a whole lot to do with your bench...i have found for me on dumbells, that my shoulders and tris are mostly used with chest... and on bar bench it is tris back lats and minimal chest...so, maybe to bump your bench up....maybe hit harder with some heavier weight, those muscles you would use most on bar movements....maybe hit back and lats and tris harder....you could also use a closer grip on the bar, and bring the elbows in while pressing...then there a ton of powerlifting exercises etc to help blow it up...

E

 

[hornedfrogs07]

Dude, I'm the same way. I BB press 315 1RM, or only like 215 for 10 reps, but I can DB press 100's for 8-10 reps. Makes me feel good to know that I'm not the only one with this problem though.

 

[Ifrit]

I'm sure everyone of my barbells in my gym weighs 15 pounds, there is no way they weigh any more. Is there an Olympic barbell and a standard? And another thing. Do you guys factor in the weight of the barbell in your bench press? I don't.

 

[eastarr69]

all the bars at my gym are 45 pounds, and of i factor in the weight of the bar..i am pushing it, so i factor it in...

E

 

[MP5]

The only bar in the gym that could weigh 15 pounds is the EZ curl bar, a standard bar for bench, squats etc is 45 pounds.

 

[Ifrit]

Well if all the bars in my gym weigh 45 pounds I must be stronger than I thought. My max bench is 220 so plus 45 I am benching 265, sweet.