Dumbbells v Barbell

mozzwigan

New member
I always start my chest session with barbell bench press, now I'm wondering are there any benefits from using dumbbells first? Will there be better strength gains etc....
 
I switch it up every week. Along with incline. Can't hurt. I get bored doing the exact same thing everytime so I enjoy switching it up.
 
I switch it up every week. Along with incline. Can't hurt. I get bored doing the exact same thing everytime so I enjoy switching it up.

Yea me to have been getting a little bored of the same routine. But will there be increased gains by using dumbbells first, by the time i get to dumbbells in my session I can barely lift what i could if i was to start with hem
 
Yea. It's good to switch it up. It will help with gains. Im not a believer of the idea you can "confuse" your muscle. It's a muscle. That's it. Maybe your CNS but really your not going to confuse a muscle. You will benefit more by incorporating dumbells to help hit the muscle from slightly different angles and recruit more groups to help with a lift your body hasnt adapted to.
 
It can't hurt to switch it up and hit the muscles differently. I usually stick with either all dumbbell or all barbel when I do chest. Seems to work well for me that way.
 
With dumbbells you can isolate the chest more. Its nice to add dumbbells and barbell exercises together.
 
With dumbbells you can isolate the chest more. Its nice to add dumbbells and barbell exercises together.

I always do, But I always start of with bar first, tomorrow I shall start with some heavier dumbbells and lets hope for some sick pumps!
 
I remember when I started lifting 4 years ago, all barbells, now the only exercices I do with barbell is decline chest and ohp
 
If you want to get big and strong stick with the barbell for compounds. Work the dumbells in for accessory movements. For example, heavy barbell press and then dumbell incline press or something of the sort. Keep it simple and keep it heavy.
 
i feel it depends on the individual , people with long limbs should not use barbells for chest movements. Ur asking for trouble . To much strain on the shoulder joint, However if ur manlet or ur limbs are proportinate go for it . I tend to lean towards the DB's ( provided thier held the right way during the press )
 
The 1st thing that popped into my head was are you wanting to be more of a powerlifter or bodybuilder. If your wanting more of that BB look, def switch it up. Maybe your upper chest is a little weaker than you want thus hit the incline, decline, then swallow your pride for a little bench...lol for ex.

If your wanting to be more of a powerlifter, car thrower, stick with that bench. Many guys have said it but barbell is the way to go for power hands downs.

Personally, I usually only touch dumbbells for flyes but that's my thing.
 
i switch it up every week, or every two. sometimes just whatever i'm feeling. i was supposed to do db today but was feeling the barbell. however i only do incline on dumbbells. hurts my shoulders with the barbell, and i don't like the angle that the fixed incline benches are at at my gym with the barbell. 30degrees way better than 45 IMO.
 
i switch it up every week, or every two. sometimes just whatever i'm feeling. i was supposed to do db today but was feeling the barbell. however i only do incline on dumbbells. hurts my shoulders with the barbell, and i don't like the angle that the fixed incline benches are at at my gym with the barbell. 30degrees way better than 45 IMO.

I totally agree with you on 30 than 45, 45 snaps my shit up!
 
barbell presses are mostly for ego, how many times have u heard the dumb question "how much u bench?". My answer to those guys is "I don't bench"... In my mind dumbell presses build better quality muscle, but everyone's different ;)
 
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