Dumbell Bench Presses

[45lb]

What is everyone's preference on these,... to bring the Dumbbells together at the top, or leaving them spaced apart shoulder width going STRAIGHT up and down?

[hellomycognomen]

I bring them together slightly at the top and I keep my wrist position the same, Ive always felt maintaining a palms facing way from me more comfortable.

Some people will twist the wrist on top to bring the DB closer, or do them with palms facing each other.

If you are worried about the top squeeze then just do cable crossovers.

When you are working with heavy dumbbells twisting them on top of your head can become dangerous IMO.

[NEMESIS RR]

Straight up and down, full range rep at the bottom, (not just bending my elbows) no lockout on top

[NACH3]

Straight up and down, full range rep at the bottom, (not just bending my elbows) no lockout on top

Bring the DBs down in a V(angled down w/outside of bell is slightly higher).. Inner part of bell is like flush w/your outer pec and press up squeezing peak of contraction... It's a small tweak but. You will need to stabilize the weight moreso making it harder...I tend to bring em about 1-2" apart... Just my .02...

[novastepp]

Bring the DBs down in a V(angled down w/outside of bell is slightly higher).. Inner part of bell is like flush w/your outer pec and press up squeezing peak of contraction... It's a small tweak but. You will need to stabilize the weight moreso making it harder...I tend to bring em about 1-2" apart... Just my .02...

I totally agree and I want to add that for me, I keep shoulder blades pinned in and down the entire time but I do not cave my chest.

Also, I find it much better on the ROM to over arch my back at the bottom/stretch of the movement. I do not over arch my back during the pressing/contraction of the movement. The arch helps with the stretch and ROM, but does not benefit the flex at all.

[73rr]

Bring the DBs down in a V(angled down w/outside of bell is slightly higher).. Inner part of bell is like flush w/your outer pec and press up squeezing peak of contraction... It's a small tweak but. You will need to stabilize the weight moreso making it harder...I tend to bring em about 1-2" apart... Just my .02...

^^^this. Couple months ago I changed it up to this. (Nach and some others told me a couple things) squeezing at the peak is very important! As they said already

[600@50]

I totally agree and I want to add that for me, I keep shoulder blades pinned in and down the entire time but I do not cave my chest.

Also, I find it much better on the ROM to over arch my back at the bottom/stretch of the movement. I do not over arch my back during the pressing/contraction of the movement. The arch helps with the stretch and ROM, but does not benefit the flex at all.

^^^^^^^This !!!!!!! Keeping the shoulders back and down when doing DB or BB bench protects the shoulder joint plus adds stability. This is how most PLs bench. There's no need in letting the DBs touch at the top. If they hit too hard it can throw off your groove and it doesn't accomplish anything by letting them touch anyway.

[45lb]

Bring the DBs down in a V(angled down w/outside of bell is slightly higher).. Inner part of bell is like flush w/your outer pec and press up squeezing peak of contraction... It's a small tweak but. You will need to stabilize the weight moreso making it harder...I tend to bring em about 1-2" apart... Just my .02...

For the V, when you're down in the low position, are your forearms on an angle slightly inward, not straight up and down vertical?

[Ashop]

What is everyone's preference on these,... to bring the Dumbbells together at the top, or leaving them spaced apart shoulder width going STRAIGHT up and down?

Personal preference,,,I lightly tap mine together at the top.

[DROY]

I touch them lightly at the top but I don't turn them. In my opinion turning the dumbbells at the top of the press puts unneeded stress on the elbows and shoulder joints because you are turning them under pressure.

[MSphysique]

I've always pushed the dumbbells straight up, i've never been concerned with touching them. For me and my long ass limbs, i feel like i'm more likely to lock my elbows if i bring them in

[Fiskevatten]

Agree with above!
Straight up and down & arched back. And also, I had my elbows too high in the beginning. Since I brought them down a bit under my nips, I got much better development
both in triceps and chest.
I also bring my legs up to force more focus and push my balance/ core some.
And focus on pressing blood in those tits from the start of the lift already. It's a difference from just doing an exercise that looks correct, and realy put your mind to it and make that pump hurt real good^^

[Mr.BB]

What is everyone's preference on these,... to bring the Dumbbells together at the top, or leaving them spaced apart shoulder width going STRAIGHT up and down?

This question will answer itself with your progress, gaining strength you will have to pick up the "fat" DBs which you cant really close at the top.

[bartman314]

i touch at top without turning as discussed above. as i approach failure i don't touch though for safety reasons. i don't need a crushed skull at the moment.

[flip888]

I touch the weights together unless I'm lifting real heavy, which i don't do much. For the same safety reason others have mentioned

[Logical1]

My preference is straight up and down. Preferring not to lock my elbows at the top. I rarely go over 80lbs on my Dumbbell press, form is sloppy so 65 to 70 is my norm with better control. To me striving to increase my rep count versus weight lifted is my focus for this exercise.