dumbell bench instead of barbell?

[BigRedCat]

I dont like flat barbell benching too much(mostly cause my GF is my spotter and frankley wouldn't be able to lift the weight if I cannot finish my set)- would I be ok replacing it with flat dumbell presses? I assume I would use less weight at first. I am doing the old school 3 day a week routine so I need to go heavy. I just use dumbells whenever I can(military presses,curls-whatever)...will I still get the same gains as using a barbell? Sorry if this is a dumb question...
As a side note, my old gym had hammer strength machines which are great but not my new gym so...I need an alternative to the barbell bench.

 

[b fold the truth]

First...run a search on this topic...it gets covered at least once a week...

 

[gettinlarger]

If youre afraid of your gf spotting you on barbell bench, why aren't you afraid of her spotting you on db bench ... ? Or ... ask someone else to spot you.

 

[louden_swain]

Believe it or not, but I rarely perform flat press movements. I truly believe that inclines are superior for pectoral development. But to answer your question, use dumbbells or hammer strength.

 

[b fold the truth]

If your workout partner has to be big and strong to spot you on the bench press...then you really need to rethink both the weight that you have on the bar and your routine...

B True

 

[gettinlarger]

If your workout partner has to be big and strong to spot you on the bench press...then you really need to rethink both the weight that you have on the bar and your routine...

B True

Very well put. Now why didn't I say that before ...

 

[BigRedCat]

I dont think I need to re-think the weight I use(I dont use much anyway), it is simply that my 125 pound GF cannot help much with pulling up 225 pounds. I switched to dumbells today, dont really need a spotter for that anyway. I just used the 85 pounders.

 

[brian747478`]

my g/f weighs about 125 and is the only person that spots me. she would never need to pull more than a small amt. to get me to the rack with a weight i use. i think that is something like what bfold is saying, although he never uses a spot, period. a spot can become a crutch.
brian

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Anyone can spot - no matter what their weight. You just have to know HOW to spot CORRECTLY. I am a female and I can spot heavy weight if needed, because I know *how* to spot. You need to teach your GF how to spot correctly. Spotting isn't just standing around waiting for the bar to fall, she has to take an active roll, be aware, and you need to help her do that if you want her to spot you.

It ain't hard to spot any weight when you are communicating with each other. And teaching each other.....

 

[brian747478`]

good point. i have never felt afraid with my g/f spotting me, but she knows how to spot.
brian