That sharp pain in the pec might be a pinched (blocked or obstructive) nerve, fairly common. Any muscle pain is not always caused by a potential muscle injury it's self. A neck & trap massage have helped many with nerve problems. Some men have discovered that a sudden sharp pain around the pec's, when working out, in not a heart attack but a pinched nerve (or nerves).
Benching with a barbell does not allow the natural torque of the hand/wrist, and in return may cause stress on the elbows and should girdle. In other words, the hand/wrist should be able to twist a bit during the press to avoid a potential injury. An example might be that when a boxer throws a straight punch, the fist/wrist is twisting to generate much more power in that punch.Breaking a board (martial arts style) might be another example, with the turning of the hand strongly suggested. Now some guy's can get away with benching with a BB, but the majority will run into a problem with the joints and the unneeded tension produced...usually as they age. Or insist on going to failure every workout, wilh that applied unneeded extra stress.
With DB's, a more natural path is followed, with a slight twist of the hands/wrist. There is not a set or fixed rigidity to the grip/hand placement, allowing that national motion. Trouble with DB's, most will be limited to the amount of weight hoisted up to the shoulder/chest to do justice to the pressing muscles (pec's/delts/triceps and the upper back). Most guys are capable of using a pair of moderate 120-140's after a while..problem being, to get them into position. Going to have to have a couple of spotters on each side, which probably is not going to make them too happy lifting the DB's into place. Getting to a higher range (180-200), for me, was out of the question...too much hassle having spotters getting the DB's into position. Making too much demand on them, really...not fair to them.
Might suggest parallel dips, my view only, but a better recruitment for the chest, shoulders and the triceps. Because with dips, you are pressing down and along side the body,rather than out and away from the body. Check out gymnast for the benefits of many version of dipping. Adding chins (in many versions also) with dips can give an exceptions body and strength. Can had as much weight as needed with a dipping belt or harness. Or just rep out many sets, pure BB'ing style.
I have done GVT (10X10's) with dips and chins as the only two exercises in a workout with excellent results. Have also SS'ed dips & chins (GVT again) as a different approach to a fast timed workout.
Good Luck.
