Barbell vs Dumbell on Press

[Mindwraith]

Other than the safety "I got no partner to spot me" factor

What are the pro's and cons of, or differences between Barbell press and Dumbell Press?

 

[Fatty4You]

Dumbbells force you to stabilize the weight more than barbells cause you got two free floating weights. This is good. Plus, i think its a variation of the movement, and i am a supporter of variations in lifting.

Plus, i find that my dumbbell strength and my barbell strength don't correlate exactly. For instance, strength gains on barbell might mean i am even a little weaker when i try and go back to dumbbells. I assume this means that they work the muscle in a slightly different way, and therefore both are good for overall development.

-Fatty

 

[T-Rage]

Well, I think barbells tend to be more likely to cause injury because they lock the shoulders and arms into a static position. Dumbells allow the shoulders and arms to change their angles all the time allowing the muscles to work in more ergonomic positions with less chance of injury. Also, dumbells are going to build up more stabilizing muscles which is good.

 

[Fatty4You]

One time my friend was doing flat bench with dumbbells and he lost control and the weights drifting inward, as if he was going to hug something. He couldn't stop them and they came crashing down on the opposite sides. The problem was, he didn't let of the weight cause he was afraid to drop it or something, so he's lying there with his arms wrapped around his face and weight pinning them down. I laughed so hard i almost crapped my pants.

-Fatty

 

[TheOak84]

if your goin for size i say barbells. i like DB's too..

Hell, do both...

 

[b fold the truth]

Barbell:

safer, more weight, more muscle recruited, builds more overall mass, cheaper, etc...etc...etc...

I can't think of much of a reason TO use the dbells...

B True

 

[strider364]

Barbell:

safer, more weight, more muscle recruited, builds more overall mass, cheaper, etc...etc...etc...

I can't think of much of a reason TO use the dbells...

B True

B,

I was under the impression that dumbells put less stress on the rotator cuff. Also I though that with dumbells it promotes a balance between right and left side strength and physique wise. Just throwing this out for the sake of discussion, not trying to be a snot.

 

[Tiervexx]

i feel like dumbbell bench uses very little tricep and shoulder and almost isolates the chest, as opposed to barbell bench which puts a shit-ton of stress on all three muscle groups

 

[skaman607]

well if youre using BB form then you have to squeeze your chest to make them stay up (by that i mean not drifting to the sides) so you do use a lot of chest in it

 

[solidj55]

Barbell:

safer, more weight, more muscle recruited, builds more overall mass, cheaper, etc...etc...etc...

I can't think of much of a reason TO use the dbells...

B True

I agree on the cheaper but thats about it. I feel dumbells are safer PERSONALLY. I also feel that more weight is relative. If your hitting the muscle your hitting the muscle, of course you can use more weight with a bar but your able to train each side equally with dumbells. I am not arguing but I dont see how more muscle is recruited with barbell, I thought dumbells recruited more muscle because of the stabilzers they hit that normally wouldnt get hit with a barbell. Not sure just what I thought. How does it build more overall mass?