Military Press on 5x5 and the use of dumbbells

[Johnny Horse Face]

Hello All. I am going to be starting the intermediate 5x5 this next week and have a few questions if you have time.

1. My gym does not have a dedicated Military cage. If I want to do a compound shoulder press, my options are: Standing military (barbell or dumbbell) or Seated Dumbbell press. Which of these should I structure my shoulder exercise for Wednesday's workout around?


2. Do any of you guys use dumbbells for bench, or is barbell pretty much standard?


Thanks for your time!

 

[Sigbjørn]

In the 5x5 explanation, it is stated that you are supposed to do Standing military. And use a barbell. Much easier to add weight with them, as you're able to use much more weight.

 

[Czar87]

Dumbells are superior to barbells, though you get stronger with barbell because you can add micro weights to it. Dont worry about it, do what you can. Dumbells aint bad and they work more muscles.

They make you more built on bench too, but they problem is that you cant add weight them as you do to bench.

 

[Johnny Horse Face]

Is adding weight an issue if your a person like myself who cant max out the dumbbells in the gyms?

 

[Czar87]

Weight is an issue, when you have to ramp up more than you can handla and thus cant make progress so long. You ramp up weight 2,5% ... when you press with 100lb you add 2,5lbs ... dumbells go 2 per dumbell

 

[black10]

i prefer dumbells and use them more often.although, i do see my share of the bar, and i believe what czar is saying is that you can add smaller increments to a barbell thus increaseing you max weight faster.my 2cts

 

[atlantaholdem]

Weight is an issue, when you have to ramp up more than you can handla and thus cant make progress so long. You ramp up weight 2,5% ... when you press with 100lb you add 2,5lbs ... dumbells go 2 per dumbell

Exactly. However, I think you'll find after you've been on the 5x5 for about two months and jump back to the dumbells, you'll notice a hell of a lot more strength. Just my two cents.

 

[skullcrushin22]

Exactly. However, I think you'll find after you've been on the 5x5 for about two months and jump back to the dumbells, you'll notice a hell of a lot more strength. Just my two cents.

Hes right. Awhile back I was using around 70lb DB's then I started the 5*5 and after 10 weeks I went back to DB's for awhile and Im using 95's closing in on 100's. You will surprise yourself.

 

[Johnny Horse Face]

Good call. Thanks for your guys' help!

 

[beerdrinker]

You could just clean the barbell off the floor. No need for a rack then.