Dumbell vs Barbell

[ruggermu]

Alright I have a question, probably old but still. I was wondering your all opinion on barbell vs dumbell bench. I know you can move more weight on barbell, but I don't seem to feel it as much. Is dumbell the better route o rdo I need to get back into barbell. Switched because of shoulder issue, but could probably go back now if wanted?

 

[jay1]

I do both
One week barbell, one week dumbells

 

[casualbb]

I do DB's... doesn't hurt my rotators as much, evens out the sides, etc.

I don't think you'll lose anything by not doing BB press but from a pragmatic standpoint it's harder to increment the weight

 

[Madcow2]

Alright I have a question, probably old but still. I was wondering your all opinion on barbell vs dumbell bench. I know you can move more weight on barbell, but I don't seem to feel it as much the next day. Is dumbell the better route o rdo I need to get back into barbell. Switched because of shoulder issue, but could probably go back now if wanted?

If by "feeling it as much" you are relating to DOMS (muscle soreness post workout) - that's a bad criteria underwhich to judge effectiveness as there is no correlation between DOMS and a successful or stimulative workout.

Barbells allow you to move more weight and thereby apply more weight to the system. This is their only advantage but a key one as this is really important (why are the squat and deadlift so beneficial - lots of weight applied to the entire system). Dumbells are great and supperior in a number of factors but if purely looking at stimulating muscle growth they aren't going to be as effective as a BB. Of course they are by far and away the 2nd best alternative as the 3rd (any type of machine) is way way back (important to keep magnitude clear as the DB are not hugely disadvantaged relative to BB but machines are garbage relative to both for this purpose).

Shoulder health is paramount. Weaknesses here lead to injuries and shoulder injuries are a whore to heal. Make sure your shoulder is healthy and can tolerate a movement well. You might also try slight incline BB presses which tend to be a bit more healthy than traditional flat bench.

So - think about your shoulder and health first then optimize your exercise program however you choose.

 

[Chi town]

I mix it up, but I'm more a fan of DB's if you're looking for chest developement more than just strength. DB's give u a better ROM, using your chest all the way thru. Where BB really only uses your chest on the bottum half...top half is mostly tri's n shoulders.

 

[RGS83]

madcow2... Which is some risky to the shoulder?
DB's or BB's presses

I always thought DB's, as you seem to have hinted too, but another post i just read suggested that BB's were better for your shoulder and rotator cuff

 

[Madcow2]

Neither are really risky to a healthy shoulder. There are a variety of shoulder issues/injuries and certain exercises and angles can iritate a given injury more. Slight incline seems to be a bit better on the body than pressing flat (for a PL is pretty useless though but general athletics it's a good sub). I was just saying that Barbells enable most people to handle more weight and all else held equal and in reasonable ranges will drive a good amount of the stimulus. I then went on to mention shoulder injuries to get the initial poster to make sure he's done everything he can to restrengthen and recondition.

 

[ruggermu]

When I said feel it I don't actually know how to explain what I meant but I'll try. Not the soreness later , but the feeling during. When you actually feel the muscle contract instead of the weight move. Actually I guess I could explain it .

Eother way appreciate the advice all around.

 

[big4life]

I use bb's on incline and decline, and db's on flat bench. I've had two shoulder surgeries and this routine seems not to bother my shoulder as much.

 

[BOOEY]

I see it as a matter of preference. Learn to listen to your body while performing the lift - see which one suits you best. As far as which will help build a better chest? Again, matter of preference. I use Db's exclusively (except for the occasional bb decline) and have a fine chest. I know others who use BBs exclusively and they're fine too.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

if your looking for strength and mass, I think barbell work should be the staple (bench, squats, deads)... I would rec. dumbells for accessory work (flyes, db rows).

 

[wnt2bBeast]

if your looking for strength and mass, I think barbell work should be the staple (bench, squats, deads)... I would rec. dumbells for accessory work (flyes, db rows).

i agree if youre injury free drop the dbells
ive added a ton of weight to my bench and i havent picked up a dbell in over 6 months

 

[wtlftr]

the most anatomically correct bench motion is to lower to 90 degress. DB or BB do that. However, DB works the stabilization muscles more. Both, DB and BB are good to use. Keep a variety

 

[Guinness5.0]

I do both db and bb flat press and I feel that the db press is superior in terms of activating the pecs at all ranges. Bringing the hands closer together at the top of the movement ensures that the pecs are receiving the lion's share of the work, whereas with bb pressing (as stated above) the tris and delts take over toward the top. IMO a program that does not incorporate both movements from time to time (i.e. bb's for a couple weeks, then db's for a couple weeks) is less than ideal from a bodybuilding standpoint.