Working out chest with just dumbells and cables

[Flagg]

Is there anyone here that DOESN'T use a barbell on chest day?

Normally I do, but last week on chest day me and my training partner omitted the bar and I have to say it was one of the best chest days I'd had in a while.

Are there any obvious benefits?

[Back In Black]

I don't, haven't for about 5 years. Less discomfort, better stretch, better pump and safer when training alone unless you have a power rack.

I won't use one again.

[ghettoboyd]

using dumbbells will allow for grater ROM for chest exercises but I wouldn't abandon the barbell all together because then you limit the amount of weight you can use...I would think a "complete" bb'r would use both and change things up from time to time...I have a training partner so heavy barbell work can be done safely so I get those that don't may prefer dumbbells though...but either way, why not use both?...

[MR-FQ320]

Ive recently dumped the barbell too, DB's and cables all the way for me, I didnt feel like I was Isolating the pectorial enough, now I can feel it burning which has to be good.

[ppwc1985]

I like superset db flys, then dumbbell presses. Serious pumps.

[Turkish Juicer]

x2 on everything Back In Black said above.

I haven't had a single chest session over the past 3 years where I used a barbell, and my chest keeps on growing.

I hardly care about my 1MR chest press weight since I am neither a strongmen nor a powerlifter.

[tigerspawn]

I also agree with everything back in black said above. Also, Dumbbells allow you to get that deep stretch which helps trigger growth by expanding the connective tissue that surrounds your muscle.

[marcus300]

Use DB's for a long time don't really touch the BB when doing chest, I haven't touch flat BB bench for yrs.
DB's give you a better range of motion so you can follow your natural groove, stretch is a lot better and by adjusting the line of press you can target your chest just right with practise..

[XstabberX]

I've been doing basically a powerlifting routine for years and only do st bar bench and incline DB presses. I'm looking forward to doing mostly DB's, machines, and cables

[austinite]

I lost the barbell about 2 years ago.

[JSumma]

I take you guys dont squat either

[Tron3219]

Only time I use flat bench is when I'm working out at my wife's gym and it falls on chest day(they only have 75lb and lighter dumb bells). But even then I just put on 225 and rep it as many times as I can till failure. Heavy bench hurts my shoulder now. And it feels unnatural. I feel like db can b manipulated better to hit certain parts of ur chest and also work better with someone's movement if they have somewhat of a nagging injury.

-Chomp Chomp Chomp-Clink Clink Clink-

[Tron3219]

I take you guys dont squat either

I squat, just not heavy. I've been doing a 10 by 10 routine with good success. No cartridge in knees make for painful heavy squats.

-Chomp Chomp Chomp-Clink Clink Clink-

[Turkish Juicer]

I take you guys dont squat either

What makes you think that a lifter who doesn't use a barbell for chest workout would also not squat?

[austinite]

You have to squat.

[Turkish Juicer]

You have to squat.

... and if you don't or can't for some reason, you have to hit the decline leg press machine and load it up with an X amount of weight that is about 3 times the total amount you could squat in order to make up for the lack that inevitably occurs between using a leg press machine vs. free weight.

[Flagg]

Nice points lads!

A few weeks back I got a twinge in my right shoulder which made dumbell flies agony and I'm sure it was from going too much on a flat bar.

Of course, no such issue when it came to a purely db/cable/machine session last week..