Flat Bench VS Dumbell Bench

[The Flash]

What one do you think is better, would your chest grow faster using dumbells or barbells? I tried looking up this thread but nothing came up =\, I'm not worried about strength more size than anything, so if you had to pick one to use to get more chest mass/better looking which would you choose? Feel free to tell me how stupid i am to ask this question, but its been on my mind every time i workout chest now...someone relive me of this anxiety lol, Because i think i read in one of my BB magazines that Jay Cutler only uses Dumbells... leads to curiosity(puts on flame retardant cape =P)

[neoborn]

I don't have a whole lot to say other than dumbells are easier on the shoulder joints.

[WeakPoint]

I hate BB for incline. It just feels really awkward. Only thing I tend to do with a BB for chest is my decline. DUMBBELLS FTW!!!!

[Red Dog]

DB tends to make sure you don't get inconsistencies across your chest.. my right pec has been/is stronger than my left one because I always used BB and have literally zero coordination on the left side of my body..

I would switch it up -- I feel it more with DB's but I can press more with BB -- both would work together to build mass

[SilentBob187]

I love dumbbells. You isolate both sides and ensure that they're both doing the same amount of work. Of course barbell is going to allow for higher numbers and it's always good to mix everything up. Dumbbells just feel way more intense to me. I agree with Red Dog, do em both. Maybe a month of db, followed by a month of bb.

[The Flash]

I love dumbbells. You isolate both sides and ensure that they're both doing the same amount of work. Of course barbell is going to allow for higher numbers and it's always good to mix everything up. Dumbbells just feel way more intense to me. I agree with Red Dog, do em both. Maybe a month of db, followed by a month of bb.

sounds like a good idea, i just want my pecs to look the same lol, one is bigger than the other =\ not by alot though

[Benderzzz]

for over all chest size incline bench is the best
switch it up every couple weeks or a month as previously mentioned but if you focus on incline your chest will blow up

[The Flash]

for over all chest size incline bench is the best
switch it up every couple weeks or a month as previously mentioned but if you focus on incline your chest will blow up

The thread was about which of the flat would you prefer i got incline down...

[amicold]

For what it's worth. I get a much greater pump out of flat bench. Wide grip. Though it is tough on the shoulders when heavier, they will adjust. My chest has grown both in size and strength tremendously since I started going high volume with heavy weight and low reps.

[pmiller383]

Dumbbells should actually be better for chest growth for two main reasons:
1. Higher use of stabalizers so more muscle fibers are activated and utilized on each rep.
2. Dumbbells allow you to follow a range of motion that is more focused on chest than barbell. while sitting reading this post place one hand out in front of you a little wider out than your shoulder. Next place your other hand on directly on your chest. Finally take your hand that is out in front of you and move it from shoulder width to the center of your body and you will notice a fuller feeling in your chest.

[MEH89]

I think you feel DB's more, and plus its evenly spread across the chest. But BB you can use more weight so, you can simulate more growth. Id say use them both BB, more for strength, DB's more for growth, and recovery. Just my opinion. Mark

[MisterEZE]

just wondering...would it be advantageous to utilize both techniques during the same workout?? say start with BB press and perhaps finish the workout with DB's to failure?? or would it be better to alternate the techniques week to week?? my main concern is that my gyms DB's only go up to 100lbs so I don't feel that a flat DB press would be enough to stimulate my chest.

[pmiller383]

just wondering...would it be advantageous to utilize both techniques during the same workout?? say start with BB press and perhaps finish the workout with DB's to failure?? or would it be better to alternate the techniques week to week?? my main concern is that my gyms DB's only go up to 100lbs so I don't feel that a flat DB press would be enough to stimulate my chest.

You would probably be better off picking just one flat press. try fly and pullover variations as well. Just my opinion though.

[WeakPoint]

Alrght so earlier today I switched it up and did all DB's besides decline, haven't done flat/incline with dumbbells for about a month. I'd have to say it was a great work-out and definitely had a great pump. I think I'm gonna do DB's for a few weeks then switch up to BB again.

[CornFed]

what a confusing thread.

tip: flat would be the opposite of incline regarding this thread.

BB would be the opposite of DB.

Which do you like better? Flat or DB?

Uhh....i prefer Incline.



WTF?!

[SilentBob187]

what a confusing thread.

tip: flat would be the opposite of incline regarding this thread.

BB would be the opposite of DB.

Which do you like better? Flat or DB?

Uhh....i prefer Incline.



WTF?!

Yes we have no bananas?

[The Flash]

what a confusing thread.

tip: flat would be the opposite of incline regarding this thread.

BB would be the opposite of DB.

Which do you like better? Flat or DB?

Uhh....i prefer Incline.



WTF?!

all i got to say is lol...., its about what flat bench chest workout you would prefer, not about incline, flies, dips, or anything but bench. Dumbell Flat Bench or BarBell Flat Bench, see its easy just read =p. Sounds like Dumbell is winning. hmm..

[neoborn]

What I would like to know why the f8ck is it that I can bench 145lbs but if I split that weight in half i.e 70lb'rs DB's I can't even lift em?

For DB's I can only get up to 55's for 5 roughly?

[dynomite]

whether dumbells are better or not for growth i dont really know, but if you aren't changing up your workout monthly you are wrong. so i dont see how it would be possible to avoid either one.

the reason that dumbells are harder is simple, you have to balance the weight. of course you do on a barbell too but not like dumbells. this is why people that do bench on a smith machine and think they can do 400 pounds are dckholes.

[datBtrue]

What one do you think is better, would your chest grow faster using dumbells or barbells?

It is all relative bro. Longer armed guys seem to often benefit more from DBs. Shorter armed guys often like the BB. Most of us like to use both.

By-the-way it is "how you perform" the exercises and how you integrate them into your routine that determines growth not necessarily which exercise. Do you do them in such a way as to create maximium fiber damage? Tempo/TUT...constant tension... explosive vs slower eccentric just to name a few. Order of exercise is important: Are you following this exercise w/ one that creates a maximum stretch under load?

In other words how you do the exercises, how you incorporate them into the routine you have structured as well as your physical proportions all play a part in determining which exercise is most beneficial.