Getting 110pound plus dumbells up

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 11:53 AM

Do you guys have any tricks for getting the big dumbells up for pressing
I use my knees to bounce them up but cant seem to get them up there man
This week I tryed 120 pounders and pressing them isnt a problem at all I got them all day,I just cant bounce em up high enuff.
thanks for any advice

**Dude-Man** · 03-08-2007, 11:56 AM

I'm not sure what you mean. I start all reps at my chest anyway, so i just use my knees to move the dumbells to my chest, and press up from there.

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 12:00 PM

I guess Im asking If Im missing something here case When my dumbells are on my knees and Im trying to throw them up to my shoulder to shoulder press them Im having a hard time ,And spending alot of my energy there when I could be useing it for anouther couple reps

**Superhuman** · 03-08-2007, 12:11 PM

I do one at a time, using both my knee to push up and my arm to pull up, and have no problem

**Dude-Man** · 03-08-2007, 12:12 PM

Ah. Military's a different story. You've gotta sort of simultaneously bounce, and move your shoulder to/under the weight while moving the weight back to you.

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 12:36 PM

Thanks bros,I guess I just have to get my technique down LOL.

**dhriscerr** · 03-08-2007, 12:47 PM

get another guy to hand them up to at your upperchest shoulder level.

**Warrior** · 03-08-2007, 12:56 PM

One thing I like to keep in mind is how guys like Arnold used to use equipment that required them to clean barbells up for pressing movements - ever seen the photos of them having to lift a barbell up to do incline presses.? That takes functional strength and a strong body that can function in unison. IMHO, if you can't safely lift a 110-pound dumbbell up for presses, you should back off the weight a little bit and focus more on arm strength...

Consider the effort required to lift the dumbbells as part of the training session; not as a hinderance. But in the end, safety is very improtant; don't squirm or put yourself in a comprimised position... if you have to do that - like I mentioned - back off a bit for a few weeks.

My .02... not trying to sound harsh or say you are being weak, just trying to throw out some feedback...

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Warrior

One thing I like to keep in mind is how guys like Arnold used to use equipment that required them to clean barbells up for pressing movements - ever seen the photos of them having to lift a barbell up to do incline presses.? That takes functional strength and a strong body that can function in unison. IMHO, if you can't safely lift a 110-pound dumbbell up for presses, you should back off the weight a little bit and focus more on arm strength...

Consider the effort required to lift the dumbbells as part of the training session; not as a hinderance. But in the end, safety is very improtant; don't squirm or put yourself in a comprimised position... if you have to do that - like I mentioned - back off a bit for a few weeks.

My .02... not trying to sound harsh or say you are being weak, just trying to throw out some feedback...

No you dont sound harsh at all I appreciate honesty I just have a problem backing off the wieght right now,like I was saying I can press the wieght all day Its nothing.Its strugling to get them up and In the stuggle Im losing alot of energy and it was acually the 120 pounders I started really struggling with I mean Im doing sets with 315pound military press so wieght Isnt the issue I just thought another member might have A trick or technique to make it a little easier.But warrior I understand what your saying and thank you for comments

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by dhriscerr

get another guy to hand them up to at your upperchest shoulder level.

Sounds like my best option so far only thing is my workout partners a 110 pound woman LOL thanks for comments man

**Superhuman** · 03-08-2007, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by canadian meat

No you dont sound harsh at all I appreciate honesty I just have a problem backing off the wieght right now,like I was saying I can press the wieght all day Its nothing.Its strugling to get them up and In the stuggle Im losing alot of energy and it was acually the 120 pounders I started really struggling with I mean Im doing sets with 315pound military press so wieght Isnt the issue I just thought another member might have A trick or technique to make it a little easier.But warrior I understand what your saying and thank you for comments

I don't understand how you can shoulder press 315 for reps but you have a harder time lifting 110lb dumbells up for pressing. Maybe you need to work on your arm strength like warrior said

**spywizard** · 03-08-2007, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Warrior

One thing I like to keep in mind is how guys like Arnold used to use equipment that required them to clean barbells up for pressing movements - ever seen the photos of them having to lift a barbell up to do incline presses.? That takes functional strength and a strong body that can function in unison. IMHO, if you can't safely lift a 110-pound dumbbell up for presses, you should back off the weight a little bit and focus more on arm strength...

Consider the effort required to lift the dumbbells as part of the training session; not as a hinderance. But in the end, safety is very improtant; don't squirm or put yourself in a comprimised position... if you have to do that - like I mentioned - back off a bit for a few weeks.

My .02... not trying to sound harsh or say you are being weak, just trying to throw out some feedback...

He has a point here..

let me ask you, can you dumb bell press 90 for 20 reps?? if not, maybe you should work with lighter weights to build technique, and connective tissue strength..

might help..

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by spywizard

He has a point here..

let me ask you, can you dumb bell press 90 for 20 reps?? if not, maybe you should work with lighter weights to build technique, and connective tissue strength..

might help..

Im killing 90 pounds bro thats my first set I dont know If im getting 20 but 15 for sure

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Superhuman

I don't understand how you can shoulder press 315 for reps but you have a harder time lifting 110lb dumbells up for pressing. Maybe you need to work on your arm strength like warrior said

Ive never really been into dumbell press only occasion to switch it up a bit always barbell press and like I was saying I never started struggling untill I hit the 120pounders

**canadian meat** · 03-08-2007, 03:19 PM

I was acually just reading online how alot of people use their feet on the dumbell rack to launch the wieght up so maybe thats something I could try next time and If its not working then ya I might just have to ease off and work more on my streangth build my way up I would fuking hate it cause I thought I was making great gains in strenght but might be the way to go
thanks guys

**bigtwin** · 03-08-2007, 03:19 PM

what i do is basically bounce them off my knee and try and work them up to my chest , kinda like sliding them, also a partner helps

**Sheridan** · 03-12-2007, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by dhriscerr

get another guy to hand them up to at your upperchest shoulder level.

^^+1

**Benches505** · 03-12-2007, 09:22 PM

I had some dumbells custom made a year ago and everytime I went to bounce them up from my knee to my chest I felt like I was at risk for an injury. I solved the problem by buying some dumbell hooks. I hook the dumbells up under a smith machine and start already in the up position. Made it much safer for me to toss around the heavier weight.

***Narkissos*** · 03-12-2007, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Warrior

One thing I like to keep in mind is how guys like Arnold used to use equipment that required them to clean barbells up for pressing movements - ever seen the photos of them having to lift a barbell up to do incline presses.? That takes functional strength and a strong body that can function in unison. IMHO, if you can't safely lift a 110-pound dumbbell up for presses, you should back off the weight a little bit and focus more on arm strength...

Consider the effort required to lift the dumbbells as part of the training session; not as a hinderance. But in the end, safety is very improtant; don't squirm or put yourself in a comprimised position... if you have to do that - like I mentioned - back off a bit for a few weeks.

My .02... not trying to sound harsh or say you are being weak, just trying to throw out some feedback...

re: bold

Agreed.

The 'tricks' lie in improving functional strength...

re: neuromuscular co-ordination.

**xpijeonx** · 03-17-2007, 09:32 PM

If you dont do dumbell presses often this could be the reason. It is a newer motion to you or it is one you havent done for a while so it may feel awkward until you get the hang of it. In said that if it were me.. I would drop the weight a few pounds until I got those up into position comfortably/safely.

I am by no means an expert but I know that when I come back to something often times I have to back pedal a little bit to get the motion back and the feel for it then I usually break through my previous barrier.

**Saunacrank** · 04-19-2007, 03:39 PM

just have someone hand them to you...

**juiceball44** · 04-19-2007, 05:29 PM

watch that video of ronnie coleman pressin some 200lb db's watch how he puts them on his knees and kinda rolls back while bouncin them up, thats how I do it

**Lexed** · 04-19-2007, 07:13 PM

I always have a buddy come help me out. Or ask somone at your gym to help

**Mogamedogz** · 04-19-2007, 09:56 PM

Work on strengthening your "core". You will be surprised at how much easier things like this become, when you develop a Powerful Core.

**HomesliceYEA** · 04-30-2007, 07:20 PM

I have found that scooting your butt out away from the backrest helps.

**Blitz777** · 08-04-2007, 02:49 AM

If you are determined to do them, I would, without question, ask for a spot from someone capable. Risk of injury is very high while doing military db presses. Like Chris Farley said, I know from experience dude.

**Kale** · 08-04-2007, 02:54 AM

I have the same problem, I cant get them off the floor onto my knees. So I push the bench up close to the dumbell rack, pick them up and sit straight down with them on my knees, then I role back and flick them onto my chest with my kness then press

**dwaynewade** · 08-07-2007, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Superhuman

I don't understand how you can shoulder press 315 for reps but you have a harder time lifting 110lb dumbells up for pressing. Maybe you need to work on your arm strength like warrior said

DITTO and i would like to see you military press with 315

or a video

**Geezy** · 08-07-2007, 10:23 PM

I just bounce them up with my knee and use my arms to keep the momentum going and Im not the strongest guy around, lol. And if you can mil-press 315, I cant see how you are having a hard time, I cant do more than 150-160lbs on the mil-press (due to my shoulder) and can pull up 100's easy. Im not questioning you, but it just seems funny, thats all.

**canadian meat** · 08-09-2007, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by dwaynewade

DITTO and i would like to see you military press with 315

or a video

Im a very humble guy And dont get on the internet to pretend Im something Im no I think its pathetic.I rarely ask questions unless I really need help on this fourm,This is a old thread And I took the members advice and Im acually pushing 120 dbell press now and getting them up with no problem.

Thanks for the advise from all

**dwaynewade** · 08-11-2007, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by canadian meat

Im a very humble guy And dont get on the internet to pretend Im something Im no I think its pathetic.I rarely ask questions unless I really need help on this fourm,This is a old thread And I took the members advice and Im acually pushing 120 dbell press now and getting them up with no problem.

Thanks for the advise from all

whatever helps you sleep at night bro....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y0JN_nR-6w try this link, is that you in the video??

**mesomorph** · 08-11-2007, 08:49 AM

Still a very cool thread though. Surprised someone else hasn't started this one before now.

I only work out with 85's for dumbbells yet, and so it's not a big deal getting them up into position. But I can still appreciate the problem:

On mil press I use 185 for reps. I work out and home, and have never liked seated pressing anyhow. I do a simple one sweeping motion clean to get them up there, and I have to concentrate like hell before I execute the clean. When I have gone for a max at 205, it becomes extremely difficult to pull off the clean. When I was using about 20 pounds less the clean was easy. So in my estimation, as you get to the heavier weights it is becomes an issue eventually.

I agree though on working the core rather finding a way around it. Especially realizing the safety implications of pressing a weight you can't get into position on your own.

I think that is cool that you are humble dude, but you deserve accolades for getting up to 120's. Be cool to see a clip of a lift like that. When I think how weak I was when I started, to see someone throwing around 120's is awe inspiring.

**powerliftmike** · 08-18-2007, 07:01 PM

When you start getting into the bigger dumbbells its best to have someone hand them to you after you lay down. Cause if youre just swinging them up it can be real bad for the pecs, I know from experience.

**JackedEscalade** · 01-13-2008, 03:30 PM

Pretty simple solution like 3 + people have already said. GET A SPOTTER TO HELP U GET EM TO BEGINING POSITION THEN REP THE F*$K out of em!!!

**Bloodhound** · 02-16-2008, 02:00 PM

I do heavy DB military presses myself, i can ge one up in place myself then i have my workout partner get the second one up there.

**rockinred** · 02-17-2008, 05:59 PM

Here is some pointers from me... I military press 100lbs no prob.... but there is some technique in getting them in position

Military press DB
find an upright bench that has a low back... actually just a little above the lower part of back.
scoot butt a little forward, kind of like you are in a incline position, but not that far.
put on knees like everyone said...BUT, here is the kicker... you need to think about using your legs as the primary kicker...kind of exaggerate like you wanted to kick those into those hard...
do each leg kick back to back, don't wait to long because you expend too much energy and mess up.
once you got the up.. reposition your lower back against bench for proper posture..
start repping..

for incline I do the same as military on positioning

Flat bench
I work up to 140's right now, but here is a very good technique that I have never seen posted here.
get the weight to the top of your lap up against your body..
the bottom part of the weight should be against your belly and the top part of dumbell against your chest...
hands and everything should be tight...
protect your core and lay down as you go down keep the weight on your chest...
slide them a little up and start pressing..
when done drop them off the side..
this works like a charm everytime with heavy weights.

I know the technique coleman was using but I only do that technique when the weight is way lighter... there is a possibilty of it come crashing down on the head if kick to hard with the knees on the flat bench.. this technique works flawless.

happy lifting.