Barbell Bench: WTF

[canadaphiliac]

Ok, so here's my problem: using a barbell, I can only bench 155 pounds, but using dumbbells, 110 pound dumbbells are a breeze. I don't get it, anything over 155 and I literally can't get the bar back off my chest up. It's nothing to do with my form, as I can feel the muscle working doing both exercises. I don't have any ideas or theories on why this is. You guys have any?

[Tier]

u are probly using more shoulders in your db presses , eg your hands naturally dont go as wide as a bb bench

or it might be how your wrists are postioned.......maybe

are u getting good chest gains anyhow?

[pumpster]

That doesn't sound right. You should get someone to watch you do both and see if there's any big difference in technique.

Just use whichever hits the muscles.

[The Heckler]

Ok, so here's my problem: using a barbell, I can only bench 155 pounds, but using dumbbells, 110 pound dumbbells are a breeze. I don't get it, anything over 155 and I literally can't get the bar back off my chest up. It's nothing to do with my form, as I can feel the muscle working doing both exercises. I don't have any ideas or theories on why this is. You guys have any?

lame attempt at trolling the training forum 

[Fury]

Ironically, I can basically close grip the same amount of weight as I regular bench which pisses me off. Damn shoulders!

[canadaphiliac]

u are probly using more shoulders in your db presses , eg your hands naturally dont go as wide as a bb bench

or it might be how your wrists are postioned.......maybe

are u getting good chest gains anyhow?

Well, I feel both in my chest, I do keep my hands facing each other with the dumbbells, but could that really make that big of a difference? Gains...definately not what I'd like them to be, with either. Especially my the upper middle portion and the lower outer portion.

[Jeff Miller]

That doesn't sound right. You should get someone to watch you do both and see if there's any big difference in technique.

Agree

[canadaphiliac]

Agree

Aighty, well, chest isn't till tomorrow, so I'll report back then I suppose.

[pumpster]

Based on what you said, it could also be due to the fact that you're using a neutral grip on DBs. Use whatever works, forget the difference in weight.

If neither is working that well go to different exercises like DB/cable flys, pec deck, dips, pushups with resistance, etc.

[canadaphiliac]

Based on what you said, it could also be due to the fact that you're using a neutral grip on DBs. Use whatever works, forget the difference in weight.

If neither is working that well go to different exercises like DB/cable flys, pec deck, dips, pushups with resistance, etc.

Today I tried pushups with resistence and the pump I got in my chest and triceps was fantastic, I think I just replaced barbell bench in my routine, hot damn.

[haider]

you can press the 110 pound dumbells (110 pound per dumbell) and yet can't press 155  You must have some monster range of motion on those db presses.

[canadaphiliac]

you can press the 110 pound dumbells (110 pound per dumbell) and yet can't press 155  You must have some monster range of motion on those db presses.

I touch the bar with my chest and have a pause with barbells, and go below level with my chest on dumbbells. One thing I've noticed though is that my serratus is (pathetically) more developed than my chest, and I've heard that it gets worked alot more with dumbbells than with barbells, so I guess that'll be my next theory on my irksome strength imbalance.

[haider]

I dont believe that for a second.

[canadaphiliac]

I dont believe that for a second.

Then it's fortunate for us all it doesn't matter what you believe.

[haider]

Are you adding up your dumbell poundage? As in you're using two 55 pound dumbells and calling it a 110 pound lift? In that case I will believe what you're saying. Otherwise you're BS'in.

[canadaphiliac]

Are you adding up your dumbell poundage? As in you're using two 55 pound dumbells and calling it a 110 pound lift? In that case I will believe what you're saying. Otherwise you're BS'in.

No, they're 110 a piece, a total of 220. albiet I do sets of 8 with them and sets of 12 with 155. Which still doesn't make sense, I can do working sets with 155, but I can't even move  anything more than 155 with a barbell, for any number of reps.

[haider]

No, they're 110 a piece, a total of 220. albiet I do sets of 8 with them and sets of 12 with 155. Which still doesn't make sense, I can do working sets with 155, but I can't even move  anything more than 155 with a barbell, for any number of reps.

That's nuts. how long have you been flat benching?

[canadaphiliac]

That's nuts. how long have you been flat benching?

Started training seriously about 9 months ago, and like all gym noobies, was going nuts on bench presses at the beginning. What sucks most... when I started training I was (barbell) bench pressing 135, and dumbbell pressing 60 pound dumbbells, at least one's improved a bit. Pretty much every other bodypart and exercise has progressed just fine, except maybe my shoulders. Any nuggets of wisdom for working my way out of my problem, on both bodyparts, would be thoroughly appreciated.

[runnerbabe]

In the beginning, I found that I could do more weight using individual dumbells for flat presses than by benching....then it changed.

Someone at that time told me that it was because my arms were much stronger than my chest (pectoralis) and they (tris etc.)  were utilized more with single dumbell presses. Not sure if this was true-- but....

[mitchyboy]

If this is true somethings seriously wrong with your form. I bench 225 for 4-6 and 100s for 4-6
   Try training the bottom portion of the lift,like chest to just 4 or 5 inches off because thats the part of the lift your having trouble with  just 2 cents

[canadaphiliac]

If this is true somethings seriously wrong with your form. I bench 225 for 4-6 and 100s for 4-6
   Try training the bottom portion of the lift,like chest to just 4 or 5 inches off because thats the part of the lift your having trouble with  just 2 cents

From the feedback I've gotten and from the last time I trained chest, I think I'm going to do more weighted pushups, and focus on that bottom portion of the bench. Bleh, I want to hurry up and be making progress again...stupid human body.

[big L dawg]

this guy is full of it. in the beginning of the thread he says "the most i can bench is 155".then later in the thread he states he can do 155 for 12 reps.? is he sayin if he adds any more weight to the bar he cant do any reps?if so then hes 1)full of shit or 2)a medical mystery.

[canadaphiliac]

this guy is full of it. in the beginning of the thread he says "the most i can bench is 155".then later in the thread he states he can do 155 for 12 reps.? is he sayin if he adds any more weight to the bar he cant do any reps?if so then hes 1)full of shit or 2)a medical mystery.

Yes that's what I'm saying. 155 I can do for 12, but at the same time it's the most weight I can use on a barbell for one rep. Hell, there's no point in being full of shit on this, why the hell make this up and not claim the weight is atleast 255, seriously now. Sure, everyone benches more on the internet, but when you have a problem you'd like to have solved, bs'ing won't make it any easier.

[big L dawg]

iv been at this a long time kid.and never in all my years have i ever seen a persons one rep max be the same as a weight they can get 12 reps with.its a mathematical impossibility.the only other explanation other than you being completely full of shit is that its all in your head.when going for a one rep max lift you better be mentally Abel to lift the weight or you wont do it physically

[slaveboy1980]

lol someone is phsycotic