The difference between barbell bench press and dumbbell bench press?

[bigd7424]

Why I am I so much weaker at flat barbell bench then flat dumbbell bench press? I can lift the 150lbs dumbbell press 6 to 8 times but when it comes to barbell I strugle at 275, can anyone explain that and tell me how to fix it ? I switch my bench press up one week I do barbell the next week i do dumbbells and for some reason I am really week at barbell.

[stack_it]

I wouldn't consider 275 for 6-8 weak. It's all in the movement tho. Even though they are both flat bench movements, they involve a few different muscles and the muscles are used differently due to the change in form. If you want to get your bb bench up just start focusing on that more and do it every week. Try and go up a few pounds every week and before you know it your just as strong in both.

[Monster87]

I have the opposite problem. I can BB bench 385 but struggle to do the 120s for even 8. I think it depends from person to person, but some of the difference can be mitigated by focusing on the weaker exercise, in your case, just doing flat bench press for a few weeks without switching. Your DB press is already naturally high, so you can afford to take some time off it; in the meantime you'll gain a lot of core chest and triceps strength by remaining consistent with the BB bench.

[bigd7424]

Ok I will try stop doing dumbbell press and just focus on barbell see what happens, even though I love doing dumbbell. Thanks

[kalspic]

personally i think weight is irrelavent. i would rather have a good physique and not lift much than be able to lift a house and look like crap... just my 2 cents though.

[Okinawa_Power]

Sounds like it is all in your mind!!! If you can get 150's for 6-8 you should be benching well over 400lbs!!!!!! I can only get the 140's 4-6 times right now and my BB bench is 405x1

[bigd7424]

Sounds like it is all in your mind!!! If you can get 150's for 6-8 you should be benching well over 400lbs!!!!!! I can only get the 140's 4-6 times right now and my BB bench is 405x1

I thought that at first too but I trired everything and not even close to 400lbs not trying to do as heavy as I can though i do understand form is more important then wieght I just can't understand why there is that much diff between the two