dumbbells strength compared to barbell strength

if i can flatbench 225 12 times how would this correlate to flatbench dumbbells. should i be able to do 110's or 115's 12 times. so if i used 110lb dumbbells it would add up to about 220. this is about what i can do but my lifting partner can do alot more poundage with dumbbells vs the flat bench barbell. is it different for every person? should u be able to use more weight for one then the other?

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Originally Posted by operationgetbig

if i can flatbench 225 12 times how would this correlate to flatbench dumbbells. should i be able to do 110's or 115's 12 times. so if i used 110lb dumbbells it would add up to about 220. this is about what i can do but my lifting partner can do alot more poundage with dumbbells vs the flat bench barbell. is it different for every person? should u be able to use more weight for one then the other?

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usually db's are more difficult for most people than barbells. If you can bench 225 for 12 reps, then you'd probably db press 100's/12. But I'm a rare case with this myself, I can do more reps with db's as opposed to barbells. I love them b/ I'm able to keep the db's tighter to my chest and eliminate alot of shoulders with my chest work. I have these genetically overpowering shoulders that always take over my barbell stuff, I could go w/out training shoulders at all and they'd still look cannon ball to most people. I like some of the hammer strength chest machines as well, I'm able to adjust the seat height so I tend to push from my abdomen more and not the shoulders, hitting my chest much harder. I never do barbell presses anymore, almost everything is db's and I love it, no shoulder or joint problems, no pec tears, just solid results.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by operationgetbig

if i can flatbench 225 12 times how would this correlate to flatbench dumbbells. should i be able to do 110's or 115's 12 times. so if i used 110lb dumbbells it would add up to about 220. this is about what i can do but my lifting partner can do alot more poundage with dumbbells vs the flat bench barbell. is it different for every person? should u be able to use more weight for one then the other?

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`good quetion.. im also curious about this topic as i was just thinking the same thing only from dumbell bench to flat bentch???

id also apreciate some help here if you dont mind
thanks

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Originally Posted by stayinstacked

usually db's are more difficult for most people than barbells. If you can bench 225 for 12 reps, then you'd probably db press 100's/12. But I'm a rare case with this myself, I can do more reps with db's as opposed to barbells. I love them b/ I'm able to keep the db's tighter to my chest and eliminate alot of shoulders with my chest work. I have these genetically overpowering shoulders that always take over my barbell stuff, I could go w/out training shoulders at all and they'd still look cannon ball to most people. I like some of the hammer strength chest machines as well, I'm able to adjust the seat height so I tend to push from my abdomen more and not the shoulders, hitting my chest much harder. I never do barbell presses anymore, almost everything is db's and I love it, no shoulder or joint problems, no pec tears, just solid results.

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im starting something different in my workouts...for example for chest i'll work it out once a week. and for 4 weeks of chest i'll just use dumbbells. i'll do heavy one week then light the next...but always till failure. today i did 85lb dumbbells for flatbench dumbbells 20times. this is my "light" chest week...next week i'll go heavy around 120/125lb dumbbells. then after 4 weeks of this i'll do 4 weeks of barbell exercise in the same manner. i've never done a routine like this. im gonna do it for like 12 weeks and see how it works

Quote:

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Originally Posted by operationgetbig

im starting something different in my workouts...for example for chest i'll work it out once a week. and for 4 weeks of chest i'll just use dumbbells. i'll do heavy one week then light the next...but always till failure. today i did 85lb dumbbells for flatbench dumbbells 20times. this is my "light" chest week...next week i'll go heavy around 120/125lb dumbbells. then after 4 weeks of this i'll do 4 weeks of barbell exercise in the same manner. i've never done a routine like this. im gonna do it for like 12 weeks and see how it works

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That sounds like a solid routine right there

Its different for everyone. I have seen people that can rep out 315 for 10 reps on barbell and struggle with 100s on dbs

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Originally Posted by stayinstacked

usually db's are more difficult for most people than barbells. If you can bench 225 for 12 reps, then you'd probably db press 100's/12. But I'm a rare case with this myself, I can do more reps with db's as opposed to barbells. I love them b/ I'm able to keep the db's tighter to my chest and eliminate alot of shoulders with my chest work. I have these genetically overpowering shoulders that always take over my barbell stuff, I could go w/out training shoulders at all and they'd still look cannon ball to most people. I like some of the hammer strength chest machines as well, I'm able to adjust the seat height so I tend to push from my abdomen more and not the shoulders, hitting my chest much harder. I never do barbell presses anymore, almost everything is db's and I love it, no shoulder or joint problems, no pec tears, just solid results.

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I'm with you bro, I can't really do Flat bench anymore. Hurts my shoulder too much.

From what I have seen, it is the uncoordinated guys that have trouble with dumbells. Two guys that I train with are very strong on the exercises that do not require coordination.

Example: Lets say that me and my training partner are doing this chest routine and he has more absolute strength than I do.

Machine Press (no coordination required): He will lift a considerable amount more than me.

Barbell Press (some coordination required): We lift about the same.

DB press (requires signifigant coordination): I lift a considerable amount more than he.