On my next training cycle going to switch from bench press to dumbbell press...

[Deicide]

Has anyone noticed any loss of strength whilst making the transition, particularly when going back to bench? I would be curious to hear your opinions...

[2ND COMING]

of course your gonna lose str. if you switch to db.

but db is the best mass/str buildier for chest, especially if your a real ''athlete'' not a str ath/bodybuilder. simply cus your not gonna be pushing weight in one spot with both arms, it'll be at different levels/distance etc. So db works all the muscle that the db targets in motion range. Reguardless if u play sports db will add good mass that bench wont mainly in rear delts.

[Deicide]

of course your gonna lose str. if you switch to db.

but db is the best mass/str buildier for chest, especially if your a real ''athlete'' not a str ath/bodybuilder. simply cus your not gonna be pushing weight in one spot with both arms, it'll be at different levels/distance etc. So db works all the muscle that the db targets in motion range. Reguardless if u play sports db will add good mass that bench wont mainly in rear delts.

Surely 6-8 weeks of dumbbell press won't have a drastic effect on my bench...?

I am aware the range of motion is greater and can have other benefits...but I am dieting so I don't know....if dieting, what do you suggest?

[2ND COMING]

what do you mean diet? follow your plan and train bro

 

[mitchyboy]

Why not go 1 week bench 1 week dumbells. Ive included both but alternate between incline and flat.
  Example, week1 flat bench barbell, incline db, week 2 flat bench db, incline barbell. Just a thought

[Charlys69]

You will "up" your strength on the dumbell presses, and maybe have a little loss of strength at the standard Bench press when you return to his exercise after a break, because you loose a bit the "handling" of the barbell. This loss is not a real loss in muscle strength, but it`s a loss of optimal coordination for the bench press. So it`s only temporarly. When you come back to the bench press, you will notice the strength in the first 3-5 workouts will always go up, because the body learns again to push the given weight more efficient.
I´m always changing my first exercise after 4-8 weeks. 

[slaveboy1980]

Has anyone noticed any loss of strength whilst making the transition, particularly when going back to bench? I would be curious to hear your opinions...

yes, will come back soon tho when you get used to the exercise again.

why does it matter?


whats stopping you from doing both? if it worries you so much.

[triple_pickle]

Surely 6-8 weeks of dumbbell press won't have a drastic effect on my bench...?

you will start losing strength (i am taking about your PR) on a particular exercise if you don't max out for 3-4 weeks, not drastic but a little.  don't sweat it.

[webcake]

I recently just finished 8 weeks of all db work for chest, and now im back to barbell work, my bench has gone up considerably. Could just be me, but give it a go, you shouldn't lose too much strength.

[Zach Trowbridge]

of course your gonna lose str. if you switch to db.

but db is the best mass/str buildier for chest, especially if your a real ''athlete'' not a str ath/bodybuilder. simply cus your not gonna be pushing weight in one spot with both arms, it'll be at different levels/distance etc. So db works all the muscle that the db targets in motion range. Reguardless if u play sports db will add good mass that bench wont mainly in rear delts.

Dumbbell presses work the rear delts?  Interesting perception of simple body mechanics.

[slaveboy1980]

I recently just finished 8 weeks of all db work for chest, and now im back to barbell work, my bench has gone up considerably. Could just be me, but give it a go, you shouldn't lose too much strength.

your increase in overall pressing power (gained from the db work) counteracted the loss of strength in the benchpress. (due to not doing it in 8 weeks, the nerves have to get "used" to the bench press again)....so thats why your stronger in bench than before.

but as you say you shouldnt lose that much in a few weeks if you do other pressing movements for chest.

[kevcat]

I never bench with a BB, simply becos i feel it alot more when using DBs.Thinking of going back to using BBs every 3rd week or so myself and see how id do, as my DB strength has gone up alot in the past year of only DB pressing

[WhiteCastle]

I've switched off using dumbells and had to drop to the ten lb lighter ones after coming back to them about 6 weeks later.  I think it would actually be a worse drop if it were going back to bench after 6 weeks. 

[NoCalBbEr]

why does it matter so much  on being a strong bencher??

you should try doing barbell one workout then next week do db's or maybe doing both in one chest workout i;e;

flat bench press
incline press
db press
dips
cable crossors

[Honour]

Tbh i kind of use bench as a warm up to my DB work, I just seem to feel it more in the chest using DB's .