Flat Bench Mass- DB vs. Barbell

[cjmarcell]

Looking to add good, defined mass in my chest. My question is easy. Do you guys prefer using dumbbells or a barbell? I realize that with a barbell you can load more and therefore put more weight on the chest whereas the dumbbells give you a different motion for definition. But I also feel my chest more with dumbbells. So that turns what should be an easy answer a little bit more complicated. Maybe its in my head. Maybe not. What's the verdict?

One thing to add...I'm not asking about the best mass builder out there. I'm asking just about the flat bench. I realize it may not be the best mass builder to some..so, wanted to clear that up.

 

[JDid23]

Looking to add good, defined mass in my chest. My question is easy. Do you guys prefer using dumbbells or a barbell? I realize that with a barbell you can load more and therefore put more weight on the chest whereas the dumbbells give you a different motion for definition. But I also feel my chest more with dumbbells. So that turns what should be an easy answer a little bit more complicated. Maybe its in my head. Maybe not. What's the verdict?

One thing to add...I'm not asking about the best mass builder out there. I'm asking just about the flat bench. I realize it may not be the best mass builder to some..so, wanted to clear that up.

there is no definitive answer. the ROM is greater with DBs so a lot of people prefer dumbbells, but a lot of people also think that since you can typically use more weight with bench that it's better for growth.

Different strokes for different folks

 

[chaos13]

sometimes i use both, and sometimes i will switch it up between flat bench and dumbells

 

[smtimelevi]

i'm gona say db if ur just looking to target chest. barbell would be a better overall mass builder (delts, tris). but as for just makin chest grow i think dbells. deeper range of motion, better contraction, and more of a balancing effect if one pec is bigger or stronger.

 

[ExtraMile]

if I wasnt a powerlifter and I didnt care about how much I could bench then I would soley use dumbells, I feel they are better for getting a good chest contraction and I can get a stretch and use a better ROM, I also prefer dumbell benchpresses to barbell presses because I find them more fun. If I was only interested in mass the exercises I would use are: flat dumbell presses or 10 degree incline dumbell presses, weighted deep dips and cable crossovers

 

[the_alcatraz]

LOL @ people saying dumbell presses are better than bench press...are you serious??

Most gyms are capped at 100 lb dumbells..some go up to 140 lbs...tht's still pretty light.

I bench 405 lbs for 2-3 reps...how am I going to do that with dumbells??

If you are just starting out, yes, dumbell presses on flat bench may be a good way to go, but unless you gym has 140 lbs + dumbells, you're fuckin around

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

It's all about the technique you use to bb bench with.

I train like a powerlifter for the most part so I bench like one.

When I got back into the gym almost 4 months ago before I got serious on 5x5 I did some general building up for about 3 weeks with bodybuilding style training.

I could make 135 for 12 reps really intense with a slow pace, strong, but short contraction at the top to maintain close to constant tension and benched with elbows out and tried to imagine the pecs lifting the weight.

Huge, HUGE difference from a powerlifting or athletic type bench press.

 

[Rebecca D]

This is a good site which list the pros and cons of DB vs BB

Dumbbell vs Barbell Bench Press

I prefer DB's simply because they are easier on my shoulders. (And obviously I don't bench 400lbs)

RD

 

[StoneOfFire]

she knows when i did dumbbell press THE DAY BEFORE
because of me pecs

cant say that about the barbell.

 

[teddybear]

This is my first reply.I always go with the bumbbells for two reasons. 1-It hits my chest harder, 2-If I do to much weight, I'm not pined down under the bar! A big deal when your all alone.