Help with DB press....

[Cardinal234]

So here's my problem...I can incline DB press 35's really easily, likes 12 reps no problem. However, when I try to do 40's I can't even get the weights into position without help. Once I get them set I can do 8 reps or so, but I always need someone to help me get them up. Is this normal, or do I need to work my triceps more to help get the weights up?

 

[psilo]

Your technique at getting them up is probably poor. Work on it and you should have no problems...at least until you start getting in the triple digits. I'm sure you can get the 40s up without help if you can knock out 8 reps.

 

[Cardinal234]

My technique is like this...I sit upright on the bench with the DB's on my thighs, then kick the DB's up to my shoulders. That's no problem. It's from there to getting my arms extended that I can't do. After I get my arms extended once I can press them.

 

[d3track]

get the spot
better than risking injury

 

[psilo]

If you're doing good reps with the full range of motion, the first rep shouldn't really be much harder than the other ones. My guess is you're not going the full range of motion on your other reps, so I'd drop down to whatever weight you can handle over the full range of motion.

 

[d3track]

actually, when i get heavy
the dbs are like on my shoulders to start, which for me is a very ackward position, so i have a spotter help me get them off my shoulders, vs. tearing something going from that position
but thats my personal experience, i have seem guys/gals get em up with no problems from that position

 

[BOOEY]

Yeah, the first one is always the most difficult. Use the spot and in a couple weeks you'll be posting another thread saying "I can get the 40's up with no problem for 12 reps, but when doing the 45s I need a spot on the first one." Just keep at it!

 

[JonPee]

If you're doing good reps with the full range of motion, the first rep shouldn't really be much harder than the other ones. My guess is you're not going the full range of motion on your other reps, so I'd drop down to whatever weight you can handle over the full range of motion.

I gotta agree here. If you can do 12 with 35s then you should have no problem getting 40s up.