Log In

Your email is not your username

Register

If you were a member of the old Bodybuilding.com forums and would like to reuse your previous username, you can request it below. We use your email only for registration and do not store it. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Confirm your email

A registration code was sent to your email. Enter it here.

Welcome

You have successfully setup your account.

Sign in

Quick Navigation Bottom Misc
Forum » DB Bench vs Barbell?
  1. Results 1 to 30 of 48
  2. Page 1 of 2
  3. 1
  4. 2
  6. Last

Thread: DB Bench vs Barbell?

post 1678898693 03-13-2023, 05:26 PM
-
#1
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Aug 2022
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 13,157
  6. Rep Power: 204849

DB Bench vs Barbell?

Shockingly, today at my Equinox the two barbell bench stations were taken.

I figured - what the heck - and tried DB bench instead. It was a bit awkward getting in position, but once in position it felt so good - the stretch was so *deep*.

Moon lands on man for most lifters I guess, I know. But DAMN I'm going to start doing DB bench work srs.
post 1678898803 03-13-2023, 05:30 PM
-
#2
  1. GordonXXX
  2. Generation X Capitalist
  1. GordonXXX
  2. Generation X Capitalist
  3. Join Date: Feb 2019
  4. Posts: 34,558
  5. Subscribers: 5
  6. Rep Power: 283392
what dumbbells did you use?
post 1678899003 03-13-2023, 05:35 PM
-
#3
  1. andyray
  2. Registered Abuser
  1. andyray
  2. Registered Abuser
  3. Join Date: Sep 2012
  4. Posts: 8,636
  5. Rep Power: 45713
Once you start going for the heavies; 130s +

It just becomes too much of a pain in the ass getting them into position

You waste all your energy doing that and will likely need someone to help you
post 1678899123 03-13-2023, 05:37 PM
-
#4
  1. ShakeBrah
  2. Rampaging
  1. ShakeBrah
  2. Rampaging
  3. Join Date: Dec 2012
  4. Location: Commiefornia
  5. Age: 36
  6. Weight: 175 lbs
  7. Posts: 14,119
  8. Subscribers: 1
  9. Rep Power: 93671
Originally Posted By nineOHnine⏩
DB > Barbell

Plus it saves your rotator cuffs bc you can angle the weights
This. But also true about them becoming a pain to set up once the weight is heavy. They need a bench for db press - just like the barbell ones, but they hold dbs instead lol
See SuperHercules' sig
post 1678899233 03-13-2023, 05:39 PM
-
#5
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Aug 2022
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 13,157
  6. Rep Power: 204849
Originally Posted By andyray⏩
Once you start going for the heavies; 130s +

It just becomes too much of a pain in the ass getting them into position

You waste all your energy doing that and will likely need someone to help you
Yeah I'm not there yet. But even 'heavy for me' was awkward to get into position. I have seen trainers helping brehs set up before, and then these guys just drop the weights when they are done and don't bother sitting back up with them.

A shame it took me so long to try it, srs. It felt so damn good, what a nice stretch.
post 1678899243 03-13-2023, 05:40 PM
-
#6
  1. Ratfish
  1. Ratfish
  3. Join Date: Jul 2009
  4. Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
  5. Posts: 113,850
  6. Rep Power: 576095
miscers should only do pull workouts since they're already too good at pushing things away (friends, family, gals, responsibilities)
Make Europe Germany Again
post 1678899253 03-13-2023, 05:40 PM
-
#7
  1. kimm4
  1. kimm4
  3. Join Date: May 2008
  4. Location: Massachusetts, United States
  5. Age: 57
  6. Posts: 56,754
  7. Subscribers: 7
  8. Rep Power: 1200874
DB's have their place but I've always preferred barbell over db in pretty much most of my exercises.
National Level Competitor (Female BB)
post 1678899273 03-13-2023, 05:41 PM
-
#8
  1. TaiMaiSchutze
  2. Banned
  1. TaiMaiSchutze
  2. Banned
  3. Join Date: Feb 2023
  4. Posts: 4,136
  5. Rep Power: 0
I love DB. I quit BB after the first year. It's awkward and the angle feels all wrong. It's bad for your rotator cuffs for certain people.
post 1678899363 03-13-2023, 05:44 PM
-
#9
  1. TaiMaiSchutze
  2. Banned
  1. TaiMaiSchutze
  2. Banned
  3. Join Date: Feb 2023
  4. Posts: 4,136
  5. Rep Power: 0
Originally Posted By andyray⏩
Once you start going for the heavies; 130s +

It just becomes too much of a pain in the ass getting them into position

You waste all your energy doing that and will likely need someone to help you
130 is outrageously beast
post 1678899443 03-13-2023, 05:45 PM
-
#10
  1. desslok
  2. Super Spreader
  1. desslok
  2. Super Spreader
  3. Join Date: Apr 2010
  4. Posts: 42,315
  5. Rep Power: 243654
Originally Posted By GordonXXX⏩
what dumbbells did you use?
The black ones.
2 time survivor of The Great Misc Outages of 2022

Survivor of PHP/API Outage of Feb 2023
post 1678900193 03-13-2023, 06:06 PM
-
#11
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Aug 2022
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 13,157
  6. Rep Power: 204849
Originally Posted By kimm4⏩
DB's have their place but I've always preferred barbell over db in pretty much most of my exercises.
Yeah, I'm not saying I quit barbell. It's nice to have 'learned a new movement' with the DBs, and stabilizing them felt like an additional challenge as well.

Of the major lifts, I only prefer squats with dbs (bulgarian split squats) over barbell squats. I feel like I get a lot more out of them, srs.
post 1678900393 03-13-2023, 06:10 PM
-
#12
  1. MajorTendonitis
  1. MajorTendonitis
  3. Join Date: Jan 2016
  4. Location: East Kootenays BC
  5. Age: 65
  6. Height: 5'8"
  7. Weight: 241 lbs
  8. Posts: 41,987
  9. Subscribers: 8
  10. Rep Power: 715758
If I could do it all over again I would mostly use dumbbells , and also I would never PR. Benching heavy reps too often has given me irreversible tendinitis, and it’s mostly aggravated during flat heavy benching with a bar .
There are these things called power hooks that help with the heavier dumbbells, as I found it was hard on the rotators getting the really heavy dumbbells into position during incline benching .
I also knew a guy at Golds who was jacked and strictly used dumbbell’s. Now whether he was juiced , I don’t know

Sad thing is I have a fairly extensive (and expensive) collection in my home gym , and mostly use the squat and deadlift bars

Back with my Fam
post 1678900463 03-13-2023, 06:11 PM
-
#13
  1. Mountaineer92
  2. TOP G
  1. Mountaineer92
  2. TOP G
  3. Join Date: Jun 2012
  4. Posts: 20,218
  5. Rep Power: 155449
barbells lol.


brb torn pec. brb torn rotator cuff.

brb gotta eat 4500 calories to stay at 300+ lbs so i can arch my back and barely do a 1 rep max.


JFL @ powerliftingcels.
PUREBLOOD CREW
Top G Crew

#1 Misc Tate supporter.

If you are reading this - go do 100 push ups.
post 1678901813 03-13-2023, 06:39 PM
-
#14
  1. BigNik78
  2. Five Star Man
  1. BigNik78
  2. Five Star Man
  3. Join Date: May 2015
  4. Location: Arizona
  5. Posts: 19,911
  6. Subscribers: 3
  7. Rep Power: 373758
Equinox only has two barbell benches?
Ultra-Low Test Crew
MAGA
post 1678903313 03-13-2023, 07:15 PM
-
#15
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Aug 2022
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 13,157
  6. Rep Power: 204849
Originally Posted By BigNik78⏩
Equinox only has two barbell benches?
Two flat at my location. There are 4 cages too and 3 were in use - feels like a di*k move to use a cage for barbell bench during busy times.

This is Manhattan during lunch time by the way, heh.
post 1678903483 03-13-2023, 07:21 PM
-
#16
  1. bradlehman
  2. U Mirin?
  1. bradlehman
  2. U Mirin?
  3. Join Date: Aug 2008
  4. Location: United States
  5. Posts: 8,466
  6. Rep Power: 43878
I've pretty much always benched exclusively with DBs. I like the deeper stretch, the feeling that I can get more complete contraction by angling the weights and maybe twisting them a bit at the top, the feeling that I'm doing more work keeping them stable than a bar would necessitate, etc.
post 1678903813 03-13-2023, 07:30 PM
-
#17
  1. Paul Kreul
  2. Registered User
  1. Paul Kreul
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Apr 2006
  4. Location: United States
  5. Posts: 33,385
  6. Rep Power: 316746
Originally Posted By andyray⏩
Once you start going for the heavies; 130s +

It just becomes too much of a pain in the ass getting them into position

You waste all your energy doing that and will likely need someone to help you
120 was the most I ever did, but I would just use my legs/thighs to help them up. Never let them drop either, always set them down easy, and would stare at the mofo's dropping 80's like the bitches they were. srs
post 1678904023 03-13-2023, 07:34 PM
-
#18
  1. bradlehman
  2. U Mirin?
  1. bradlehman
  2. U Mirin?
  3. Join Date: Aug 2008
  4. Location: United States
  5. Posts: 8,466
  6. Rep Power: 43878
Originally Posted By Paul
120 was the most I ever did, but I would just use my legs/thighs to help them up. Never let them drop either, always set them down easy, and would stare at the mofo's dropping 80's like the bitches they were. srs
There was a guy at the gym tonight tossing 45s. Wanted to slap him. Was wearing a mask too. Just LOL.

Since restarting lifting this past November, I've worked my way back up to 100s. Use legs to help them up and then use them against my thighs to pull me back to a seated position at the end of the set. Years back when I was repping 120s (hoping to get back there) I usually had a friend or one of my brothers there to hand them to me. Made it easier to focus more on the actual reps.
post 1678904113 03-13-2023, 07:37 PM
-
#19
  1. BuiltBigBrah
  2. Registered User
  1. BuiltBigBrah
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Jan 2023
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 201
  6. Rep Power: 1638
Dumbbell Bench press is way better. Less injury chance, no spotting necessary even when you go heavy, and it uses your stabilizers a lot more.
Uh oh
post 1678904303 03-13-2023, 07:41 PM
-
#20
  1. Samraiwise
  2. 🥋 A Karate Kid age 65 🔥
  1. Samraiwise
  2. 🥋 A Karate Kid age 65 🔥
  3. Join Date: Mar 2007
  4. Location: Japan
  5. Posts: 24,376
  6. Rep Power: 1308174
It's Barbell for me but sometimes DB is good for a change, especially as a plateau breaker.
Originally Posted By GordonXXX⏩
what dumbbells did you use?
Pink suits you well.

Originally Posted By desslok⏩
The black ones.
Mine too.
🌺 Lauren Brooks Kelly (snailsrus) - Jul 25, 1991 – Jan 29, 2022
Thread: RIP Snails : https://forum.obnoxiousbrutes.com/showthread.php?t=181070293&page=100

⭐ Samurai Break: 140kg(308lb) Failed Bench Press Recovery Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8eIkpZ29u0
⭐ Over 35 Journals > Samurai, Without Ever Having Felt Sorry For Itself:
https://forum.obnoxiousbrutes.com/showthread.php?t=4832373&page=200
📌 Please Call me Kaz, a 65-year-old 🥋 Karate Kid in Tokyo.
post 1678931323 03-14-2023, 07:26 AM
-
#21
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Aug 2022
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 13,157
  6. Rep Power: 204849
Originally Posted By ScrillaIsBake⏩
Ideally you do both. DBs can suck when you get heavy tho.

Most clients I work with I'll use DBs during 30 min sessions and barbell lifts in 1 hour workouts
I normally do flat barbell, then incline db after. Have never used the incline barbell station.
post 1678932983 03-14-2023, 07:54 AM
-
#22
  1. omnip0tent
  2. Don't try. Do.
  1. omnip0tent
  2. Don't try. Do.
  3. Join Date: Mar 2007
  4. Location: Florida, United States
  5. Age: 36
  6. Posts: 12,680
  7. Rep Power: 70129
I like both. Barbell feels more like a compound movement than DB's. So depends how I feel like training that day/week. But I also NEVER go for "PR's" or anything less than 5 reps really.

Tendonitis in elbows crew tho
Are you not entertained?

MFC #32

It's All About the U
post 1678933833 03-14-2023, 08:08 AM
-
#23
  1. nattyandweak
  2. Registered User
  1. nattyandweak
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Mar 2019
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 1,771
  6. Rep Power: 14267
Dumbells are better overall, when done with full range of motion with a pause HNNNNNNG.
Close grip barbell bench is a winner aswell bit far toi many guys use a extremely wide grip just so they can push more weight.
post 1678935043 03-14-2023, 08:23 AM
-
#24
  1. Ripper908
  2. Registered User
  1. Ripper908
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Jul 2010
  4. Location: Ontario, Canada
  5. Age: 39
  6. Posts: 6,603
  7. Rep Power: 55969
Switched to dumbbells awhile back and rarely go back to barbell

getting older and it seems like most injuries occur doing flat bench with a barbell
Stats: 6 foot, 240 pounds
Cane Corso Crew
post 1678935393 03-14-2023, 08:27 AM
-
#25
  1. andyray
  2. Registered Abuser
  1. andyray
  2. Registered Abuser
  3. Join Date: Sep 2012
  4. Posts: 8,636
  5. Rep Power: 45713
Originally Posted By TugOfPeace⏩
Not an issue if you stick to 12 reps.. but if you're repping 130s for 12, different story
eventually you get to the point where getting the weights into position is harder than the lift itself

for the average person i'd say it's around the 120s-130s
post 1678935513 03-14-2023, 08:29 AM
-
#26
  1. sooby
  2. WOATbrah of peace :)
  1. sooby
  2. WOATbrah of peace :)
  3. Join Date: Feb 2015
  4. Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  5. Posts: 43,319
  6. Rep Power: 219409
Originally Posted By Mountaineer92⏩
barbells lol.


brb torn pec. brb torn rotator cuff.

brb gotta eat 4500 calories to stay at 300+ lbs so i can arch my back and barely do a 1 rep max.


JFL @ powerliftingcels.
positivity brah crew
dont take my posts too srs crew srs
JFL @ everything crew
lol @ tradies srs crew
BIG LOL @ sky tradies srs crew (RealAesthetic)
indian crew
living in clown world crew so screw it crew
anti-degen crew
post 1678935623 03-14-2023, 08:30 AM
-
#27
  1. sothrowedmex
  2. Gains_Marathon
  1. sothrowedmex
  2. Gains_Marathon
  3. Join Date: Sep 2005
  4. Location: Humble, Texas, United States
  5. Posts: 4,637
  6. Rep Power: 12142
Originally Posted By ShakeBrah⏩
This. But also true about them becoming a pain to set up once the weight is heavy. They need a bench for db press - just like the barbell ones, but they hold dbs instead lol
there is a bench for them but it's pretty stupid.

I mean you still have to carry them to the bench from the rack, if it's far, then it's a pain. Either way you carry them there only to have to pick them up and load them on the bench arms.
Once you're done with your set you have to place them back on that bench. Make sure you put them right or they'll fall on someone's face for foot.

Once done with your sets, you have to take them back to the rack. If they had some hydraulic lift that'd be beta asf lol

I stick between 60-100's and I'm good. I don't own db's above 100 in my garage gym because too big, too bulky take up too much space.
IG: @Gains_Marathon
post 1678953433 03-14-2023, 01:06 PM
-
#28
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  1. LogicalLifts
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Aug 2022
  4. Age: 56
  5. Posts: 13,157
  6. Rep Power: 204849
Originally Posted By omnip0tent⏩
I like both. Barbell feels more like a compound movement than DB's. So depends how I feel like training that day/week. But I also NEVER go for "PR's" or anything less than 5 reps really.

Tendonitis in elbows crew tho
How long have you had that? I thought it was elbow tendonitis, but it wasn't - I had scapular scapular dyskinesia though. I went to a specialist in NYC and he simply asked me to do a pushup in his office and he saw my scapula and went 'there you go', something's yanking etc.

I did some work on my scapula - and the symptoms went away within weeks. On how this happened? I honestly think I ego lifted on the bench a few times, I can distinctly remember once feeling something behind my left shoulder blade 'shift' - it didn't hurt, but yeah.

This is all part of a push to pursue longevity in lifting, srs.
post 1678955073 03-14-2023, 01:36 PM
-
#29
  1. nettripper
  2. Registered User
  1. nettripper
  2. Registered User
  3. Join Date: Mar 2009
  4. Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
  5. Posts: 3,780
  6. Rep Power: 27989
Originally Posted By piramparam⏩
Close grip barbell.



Damn boyo you on fire today SRS
That’s just a tricep exercise
post 1678955323 03-14-2023, 01:43 PM
-
#30
  1. omnip0tent
  2. Don't try. Do.
  1. omnip0tent
  2. Don't try. Do.
  3. Join Date: Mar 2007
  4. Location: Florida, United States
  5. Age: 36
  6. Posts: 12,680
  7. Rep Power: 70129
Originally Posted By LogicalLifts⏩
How long have you had that? I thought it was elbow tendonitis, but it wasn't - I had scapular scapular dyskinesia though. I went to a specialist in NYC and he simply asked me to do a pushup in his office and he saw my scapula and went 'there you go', something's yanking etc.

I did some work on my scapula - and the symptoms went away within weeks. On how this happened? I honestly think I ego lifted on the bench a few times, I can distinctly remember once feeling something behind my left shoulder blade 'shift' - it didn't hurt, but yeah.

This is all part of a push to pursue longevity in lifting, srs.
Oh idk never been officially diagnosed. I noticed it when putting back/picking heavy dumbbells. Went light and skipped a couple workouts over a couple weeks and it cleared it. Happens every now and again tho. I never have any pain during my pressing movements. But I've also been into lifting for longevity lately which is why i've toned down the "intensity" of my workouts. I still push pretty hard and on certain occasions I will go for a "Heavy" triple or something.
Are you not entertained?

MFC #32

It's All About the U
  1. Page 1 of 2
  2. 1
  3. 2
  5. Last
Quick Navigation Top Misc
Bookmarks
Digg.com
Digg
del.icio.us
del.icio.us
Stumbleupon.com
StumbleUpon
Google.com
Google
Facebook.com
Facebook
Posting Permissions
  1. You may not post new threads
  2. You may not post replies
  3. You may not post attachments
  4. You may not edit your posts