losing strength

[jph]

i have been doing a workout program now for a while and have been doing chest workouts with only dumbells for about 6 weeks, before that i was doing all barbell. previoulsy i was able to bench 350 lbs. while doing all barbell, now that i have been neglecting to do any barbell and have been doing dumbell only for 6 weeks now, my strength has fallen way off...just maxxed out at 275!!! this is after only 6 weeks of the new style training. Now on the other hand, my chest is becoming a lot more defined and i got up to 3 sets of 12 with 100 lb. dumbells, but max on bench is way down. Is this common or do i need to start alternating between barbell and dumbell?? What should i do, any input would be appreciated.

 

[PowerBuilder]

It is normal for your strength in one exercise to go down if you havn't done it in a while. The reason is all neurological. Your CNS is not used to doing the barbell bench press and so your max bench suffers as a consequence. Your pecs are probably bigger than before because they had to adapt to a new exercise. Once you go back to doing barbell bench for a few weeks, I'm sure you will surpass your previous record of 350lbs.

 

[jph]

thanks for the input PowerBuilder, i plan on alternating back and forth for a while and hopefully will see the best of both worlds (strength and definition).

 

[luquillo78]

Your pecs may be also fuller (pumped) if you 're working in highter reps.

 

[blackbeard]

i have been doing a workout program now for a while and have been doing chest workouts with only dumbells for about 6 weeks, before that i was doing all barbell. previoulsy i was able to bench 350 lbs. while doing all barbell, now that i have been neglecting to do any barbell and have been doing dumbell only for 6 weeks now, my strength has fallen way off...just maxxed out at 275!!! this is after only 6 weeks of the new style training. Now on the other hand, my chest is becoming a lot more defined and i got up to 3 sets of 12 with 100 lb. dumbells, but max on bench is way down. Is this common or do i need to start alternating between barbell and dumbell?? What should i do, any input would be appreciated.

definition has nothing to do with the way you train (sort of) its its mostly a product of diet!!! the reason you lost 80 lb on your bench is because youve been reducing calories maybe without even knowing it...

there is no way you should drop that muc on bench DB's are a good way to increase your bench so i havent a clue what youve been up to

 

[Vennom96]

I find my bench drops a lot too. For example when I'm on, the first 5 or 6 weeks it'll skyrocket every week and I have great gains, and then after that I start to plateau, and then I actually go down. It sucks!

 

[jph]

you may be right blackbeard, i also started taking ephedrine before workouts and it has pretty much killed my appetite! but i had no idea that it would affect my bench like that. i am going to start making myself eat more, especially protein. maybe the more defined look has come from loss of body fat. any way i plan on maxing again in about 3 weeks, i'll post the results. hopefully they will be up! thanks again for the input.

 

[Mudge]

When you get used to a movement, just like getting used to specific equipment, you learn to optimize for it. Even bench setup is important because again, you optimize the more often you do it.

I also lose strength if I switch movements, because thats how nature works. Same thing happens to your mind when you dont use it (i.e. prisoners of war who aren't allowed to speak their language), you forget things.

 

[ManOfMuscle]

Let your body get acclimated to the movement again before freaking out. Give it at least a few weeks. Upping the cals is always a good idea when it comes to gaining strength.

 

[jph]

thanks for the responses guys, that's what i like about this board, you all seem so willing to offer everyone help. i am planning on upping the protein intake and i also started to alternate between barbell and dumbell and hopefully that will help, i will post again and let you know, again thanks for all of the responses! also the first night back on barbell benching i did the pyrimid routine and my chest got so sore from it, which is good because i had actually stopped getting sore from the dumbell routine! i guess that should have been a sign that it wasn't doing any good!

 

[AngryMuscles]

it's time for board presses or rack presses