Barbell vs Dumbell on Press

[rjl296]

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

increased ROM maybe. that's about it, I stick to the barbell 95 % of the time

 

[vinylgroover]

I use both in the same workout.

Both will do much more for your shoulders than that lateral shit everyone does.

 

[erickthegreat11]

I do both. I'd look at it this way. You take for example someone who uses a bench press machine to train the bench press. Then next time they go and do a free weight barbell bench press. Obviously, we all know that there will be considerably less weight this time b/c stabilizer muscles have never been worked. The same idea can be applied to the db press. Starting off the bottom is relatively easy, but when going further up, it becomes more difficult. In a bb bench no effort needs to be made to hold the bar together, the bar is solid, as where dbells are separated and increased effort need be recruited (by the same muscles pressing during the bb press) to keep the dbells from drifting by your sides. Same idea, different stabilizer muscles. A little long winded

 

[b fold the truth]

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.

I understand...I figured that I would get some questions about my post. I remember a post a while back where a guy said that he hurt his shoulders...doing flat dbell presses. There was a discussion at the time about people having less injuries, actually, with the bar.

I have hurt my rotators seriously...twice. Once with a bench press with a bar (horrible form!!!!) and once doing overheads on the smith machine.

With dbells...I just can't get locked into position with a heavy weight and focus on pushing it hard and intense. There is too much room for error which often causes injury.

Of course...this is all just my opinion...

B True

 

[b fold the truth]

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?

I used to feel that way too...but my body has told me different over the years.

I do not like the idea of isolation exercises at all. Make your ENTIRE BODY grow through hard and heavy compound exercises. The bench press makes so many muscles grow beyond the pecs...so many more.

It is just my opinion and you have very quality points also...

B True

 

[strider364]

I understand...I figured that I would get some questions about my post. I remember a post a while back where a guy said that he hurt his shoulders...doing flat dbell presses. There was a discussion at the time about people having less injuries, actually, with the bar.


Of course...this is all just my opinion...

B True

I hear ya, it's all what works for the individual. I have sworn by dumbels since I was 18, and had great results. I'm sure you've had great results with the barbell. I thinks it's also about experimentation and discovering what works best for oneself.

 

[solidj55]

I used to feel that way too...but my body has told me different over the years.

I do not like the idea of isolation exercises at all. Make your ENTIRE BODY grow through hard and heavy compound exercises. The bench press makes so many muscles grow beyond the pecs...so many more.

It is just my opinion and you have very quality points also...

B True

Hope you didnt think I was being a dick dude, just my opinion is what I stated. Your the big strong one, not me lol.

 

[Mindwraith]

Wow, quite a few replies. I'm gonna have to go with what I can on this. I don't have a partner and its not always easy to find a spotter in my gym, depends on what time I get there. I may alternate this somehow, perhaps do flats with a barbell one week and incline with dumbell, and then change it and do incline with barbell and flat with dumbell the next. Most everyone made some valid points, there are definately pros and cons on both sides, might be best to get the pros of both by doing that.

 

[b fold the truth]

Hope you didnt think I was being a dick dude, just my opinion is what I stated. Your the big strong one, not me lol.

Didn't feel that way at all...not even in the least...

Remember...I once barely bench pressed 95 pounds...

B True

 

[eastarr69]

If you dont have a spotter, neither is safe if going heavy, but the bar lift will be safer of the to...especially since you can rack the bar...you aint gonna rack dumbells.....plus, if you go heavy on bells, you have no spotter, you have to get the heavies up, then into position, then you have to get started...the bar is racked and you can gauge your lift, the bells if to heavy you have to drop and can damage your shoulders pretty bad....

E