Why can I dumbbell press more than Bar?

**austinite** · 05-27-2012, 11:01 PM

Why is it that I can dumbbell press 60 LBS more than I can on a smith?

**wmaousley** · 05-27-2012, 11:58 PM

? Why are you using the smith machine for bench press? And what your saying doesnt make sense to me because the smith machine is a guided counter balance machine which means you should be able to lift a hell of alot more on it than with free weights.

**austinite** · 05-28-2012, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by wmaousley

? Why are you using the smith machine for bench press? And what your saying doesnt make sense to me because the smith machine is a guided counter balance machine which means you should be able to lift a hell of alot more on it than with free weights.

Well I rotate. But it doesnt matter. I cant lift as much weight with any straight bar.

**dooie** · 05-28-2012, 06:36 AM

Originally Posted by austinite

Well I rotate. But it doesnt matter. I cant lift as much weight with any straight bar.

I haven't done flat bench as my first exercise in a very long time, I inclined DB pressed 48kg each hand for 8 two days ago, went to do decline BB and only did 110kg, it's just muscle memory, if u do DB more u will get stronger, that's why I like to switch it up, get strong on BB then plateau and change to inclines or declines first

**Renesis** · 05-28-2012, 02:00 PM

My BB bench goes up with my DB bench, maybe you guys have weird muscles :P

**wmaousley** · 05-29-2012, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by Renesis

My BB bench goes up with my DB bench, maybe you guys have weird muscles :P

I agree, however I feel DB is more effective in gaining strength that BB

**guitario** · 05-31-2012, 02:22 AM

I'm the same. I can flat press 45kg db's for 6 reps quite easily but I can only bench about 95kg on the bench press for the same reps. Over the last 2 years my db strength has risen from about 35kg db's while my bench has hardly moved.

Now I know 45x2 = 90 but the bench should be easier as the bar spreads the weight across.

**HeadAndArm** · 05-31-2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by austinite

Why is it that I can dumbbell press 60 LBS more than I can on a smith?

I'd do some research I've never read anything good about smith machines.

**wmaousley** · 06-03-2012, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by HeadAndArm

I'd do some research I've never read anything good about smith machines.

Smith Machines are only good if you dont have a spotter available for assistance.

**Armykid93** · 06-03-2012, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by wmaousley

Smith Machines are only good if you dont have a spotter available for assistance.

I think they are good for the end of workouts. That way you can worry about really squeezing the muscle and not as much about form since there isn't as much form involved with the Smith machines

**Frazierboi** · 06-06-2012, 06:01 PM

I do incline bench DB 120lbs then move to flat only BB 225-245 I notice when I was doing flat DB my flat BB got weaker and I also read an artical on this and it also said that usually will happen.

**Darkness** · 06-07-2012, 05:05 AM

The reason is that with the BB you use more tricep than with DB. Just stick to BB flat/incl/decl for a couple of weeks, and you'll pick it up quick. Also try to go a bit wider on the grip.

**Wolv256** · 06-07-2012, 09:43 PM

Because the bar weighs 45 lbs and you're not adding that in? I hope that's not it.

**kutl3ss** · 06-09-2012, 12:56 AM

I used to do more on DB bench jsut because I did it more than bar benchpress just do more with the regular bar since it isn't guided like the smith

**kutl3ss** · 06-09-2012, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by Darkness

The reason is that with the BB you use more tricep than with DB. Just stick to BB flat/incl/decl for a couple of weeks, and you'll pick it up quick. Also try to go a bit wider on the grip.

yea i was taught to move where my fingers were almost every time so you hit different parts of the pec