Barbell to Dumbells !!!

**Terinox** · 12-10-2001, 10:44 PM

Over the summer I was doing normal bench press with my buddy. We were doing sets at about 165/170. Then my friend suggested we try doing DB bench for a while. So, for about 3-4 weeks we stopped doing the bench with a barbell. After the 4 weeks our strength on the flat dropped like mad. Some days we were having trouble doing sets with 155!!! WTF ? Why did it affect us that bad? For the DB we were doing sets with 45/50 pounds and we were doing sets of about 8-10. We didn't expect such a strength drop!!! Is this normal ?

Thnx
Terinox

**GenuinePL** · 12-10-2001, 10:48 PM

I do 75, 80, 85 x 8 on DB, but I could only do about 150, 160, 170 x 8 on flat bench. I think it's from the motion that you get used to.

**KeyMastur** · 12-10-2001, 10:53 PM

I see a strength drop when I go from Bar to Dumb, but when I go back, sheez, I see major increase. I haven't done bar in a while. I'm about to go back and see what I'm at. I love goin in and throwin 2 plates and some extra on and reppin that out while the wife-beatin high school kids come in and struggle with 1 plate but still walk around like their all swoll....

**Capital X** · 12-11-2001, 12:13 PM

Terinox,

You can't compare the weight that you use for dumbells with the weight you use for barbells. They both may work your chest but they are very different. I used to bench 315lbs for reps but I could only do 130s on the dumbells. I can't tell you the mechanics behind this but you are not alone.

Capital X

**bex** · 12-11-2001, 03:55 PM

With dumbells you get a better stretch but not so much power.I tend to use DBS if i train my chest twice a week so day one is barbell for more power and day two for shape and pump.But nothing can be better than barbells if you want mass.

**Terinox** · 12-12-2001, 11:22 PM

Is it okay then to do Barbell and Dumbell for Flat ??? Or should I just stick to one ???

Thnx
Terinox

**peaker** · 12-13-2001, 06:05 AM

Is it okay then to do Barbell and Dumbell for Flat ??? Or should I just stick to one ???

i think you should mix it up and do both, switch it up say every few workouts and you should be fine

peak

**Terinox** · 12-13-2001, 12:55 PM

Well what I really meant was, is it okay to do both in one day??? My basic chest day goes like this...Flat, Incline, DB Flat and Cables.

Thnx
Terinox

**GenuinePL** · 12-13-2001, 02:13 PM

I don't think that you want to do both in one day. I really can't do it because it fucks with my motion and I can't train as hard.

Just do one week DB and then next bar.