Chest: Dumbbell press or Barbell press?

[Lee_1978]

What exercise have you found most beneficial in terms of hypertrophy and strength gains?

I have to say the d/b press has proved the most effective for me. I find the tension and isolation under a d/b press greater than the standard barbell press.

[Buster Brown]

They are both effective tools and can be used in a variety of waves. I think dumbells are a better isolation exercise where barbell work will hit more then just the chest. You need them both.

[swolehead]

^^^this couldn't have said it better

[Khazima]

They are both effective tools and can be used in a variety of waves. I think dumbells are a better isolation exercise where barbell work will hit more then just the chest. You need them both.

Definitely.

If my goal is strength>hypertrophy, barbell. If my goal is hypertrophy>strength, dumbbells. That's the way I personally perceive it.

Often the two goals will be in the same workout, so I'll start with barbell bench then for my accessories I'll do incline dumbbell.

[Buster Brown]

One good dumbell routine per chest workout is essential. Angle changing weather it's at a 45 degree, 30 degree or even 10/15 degree are all important. Dumbell alternating single presses, pauses, inverted are all great exercises, I see far too many people doing the same old thing. Mix it up with some of the things I mentioned ( of course there are more) and you will develop better.

[DCI]

Never do bb press

[Gaspaco]

BB all day long baby!

[marcus300]

I haven't done BB for years they never really suited the gains I was after even though I was strong on them I got a lot more size from db's. With db you can focus more on taking the tricep out of the equation and get a better range of motion

[Inked medic1]

BB all day long baby!

Indeed! Took about a year away from barbell and just used dumbell press. And since going back to barbell my strength and gains have rocketed.

Me and the BB have a date tomorrow. **** yeah!

Ink

[Lifted1]

both

[RewardingLabor]

I haven't done BB for years they never really suited the gains I was after even though I was strong on them I got a lot more size from db's. With db you can focus more on taking the tricep out of the equation and get a better range of motion

please explain, preferably with video or pictures

EDIT: I like db because I can rotate my wrist and do something thats more of a close grip pushup or rotate during the motion, but I tend to measure my progress on barbell.

[Buster Brown]

please explain, preferably with video or pictures EDIT: I like db because I can rotate my wrist and do something thats more of a close grip pushup or rotate during the motion, but I tend to measure my progress on barbell.

At your age and level of development you need to incorporate both. Think of them as tools... The more you have the better you will develop. I encourage you to try all the variations and things like chains, bands, cambered bars to move you along.... Yes, some you won't like and some will be humbling.

[bigrich4]

I like to do bb flat then incline db, then the other way around.

[austinite]

Dumbbells. That's the only way to go (for me). I never touch bars.

[Bio-Active]

I like dumbbells and the hammer strength machines. I seldom use a barbell anymore

[Chicagotarsier]

Smith Machine

I dont care if I am a wuss. I can get more up and down with the fixed track than I could dream of moving with DB or BB. Stopped at 200 KG max due to published concerns on angle issues on the shoulder and damage.

[bass]

Smith machines and cables for me, safer.

[Buster Brown]

I believe unless you have an injury you should do it all. Why limit yourself to your favorites.

[Panzerfaust]

Always leaned toward DB's, flat bench press is and always has been my weakest movement. I do like incline BB though but without a partner I don't like BB and won't go near it.

[600@50]

I use DBs to augment my regular BB bench. I do feel the DBs more in the pecs than with a BB. You need both more max benefit.

[600@50]

I believe unless you have an injury you should do it all. Why limit yourself to your favorites.

Agree because usually working on your non-favorite movements will help build your favorites. You improve by working on what your not good at.

[< <Samson> >]

DB

Yet, now I do both


I stopped doing any bar exercise for about 10 months & focused on DB. Then got back on the bar and my strength went up about 50%



Now, I just do whatever I feel like that day

[Buster Brown]

Agree because usually working on your non-favorite movements will help build your favorites. You improve by working on what your not good at.

Exactly.....how do you get better at things if you don't do them. I am not a true PL but a BB wanting to get stronger so I do a few PL routines a few times a year and incorporate more PL style stuff in my BB routines. You bet there are things I am not fond of BUT I feel you develop better. I think alot of guys put the bar down from not getting better results and knowing how to get out of that rut. I think they both need to be used equally with all of there variations .....even the ones that suck..lol

[Thrud]

My shoulders can't take massive amounts of barbell presses anymore. I have found that the dumbbell, for me, is easier on the shoulders and can really focus your lift on the chest. That said, I use bench press as a diagnostic to see where I am overall a few times per month. I notice that more dumbbell work increases bench faster than just a lot of varying bench press workouts...and it's a lot easier on the joints for us older guys.

[Buster Brown]

My shoulders can't take massive amounts of barbell presses anymore. I have found that the dumbbell, for me, is easier on the shoulders and can really focus your lift on the chest. That said, I use bench press as a diagnostic to see where I am overall a few times per month. I notice that more dumbbell work increases bench faster than just a lot of varying bench press workouts...and it's a lot easier on the joints for us older guys.

I used to have alot of nagging shoulder problems until I started narrowing my grip a little at a time. You have probably done this....but if you haven't, it really helps.

[Docd187123]

I used to have alot of nagging shoulder problems until I started narrowing my grip a little at a time. You have probably done this....but if you haven't, it really helps.

This ^^^. And also strengthening your shoulder with overhead pressing also has worked wonders for me.

[Buster Brown]

This ^^^. And also strengthening your shoulder with overhead pressing also has worked wonders for me.

Once you start bringing your grip in a little bit at a time ( I think standing military is a perfect example) you start wonder why you ever used a wide grip.....

[skaz915]

You couldn't pay me to use a barbell

[zempey]

I use both. Since moving my grip inward on BB press my shoulders have never felt better and I hit a pb today of 325. That is great for me since I have always had issues and weakness on BB. Grip width is the key to a successful BB press without injury.