BB vs DB

[R1balla]

ive heard BB is just to show how strong you are (like a confidence/show off lift). i do tend to be more sore when i use DB. what do you guys think? oh, im doing a recomp/cut some fat off right now so any advice is appreciated .

 

[lonewolf0420]

BB does allow to to load up on weight. Creating a bigger overall load.

DB' use requires more stabilization, and can allow for a little more stretch on the working muscles.

 

[SamuraiSid]

BB does allow to to load up on weight. Creating a bigger overall load.

DB' use requires more stabilization, and can allow for a little more stretch on the working muscles.

And generally you use a bb to lift heavier...

Whoever told you to use a BB just to show off is a douche. please refrain from talking to this individual.

Your at the gym to lift weights, not show off.

 

[R1balla]

hes actually a former college room mate of mine and an app nut rep lol and ive heard it from others as well. i just feel more getting worked during DB and BB is just to show how much you can lift. jw if ppl prefer DB for bulking or a mix or what

 

[lonewolf0420]

Use both. Mix it up.

 

[R1balla]

i have a thread on creatine dosage under the supplement section which has had many views, but no responses. can u guys check it out?

 

[Bnatural]

I like the deeper stretch offered by DB's as well as the different angles I can position my wrists throughout different exercises.

I generally use DB, then BB, then machine, but since I started working out at home, this has shifted due to what I have available.

 

[SamuraiSid]

hes actually a former college room mate of mine and an app nut rep lol and ive heard it from others as well. i just feel more getting worked during DB and BB is just to show how much you can lift. jw if ppl prefer DB for bulking or a mix or what

Personally I stick to DB's. I feel a better pump and, better focus on the target muscle.

 

[killamac27]

Each has their own place. Powerlifters like the BB and bodybuilders like the DB's. Personally I start with a BB then work my way to dumbells.

 

[coldseed]

Use both. Mix it up.

I concur. Never limit yourself.

 

[chuck66]

From what I have read Barbells are for building strength and dumbbells are just for isolation and to compliment barbell workouts.

 

[Iron Warrior]

I've done well with both but I get a little more gassed by DB's. I think form is more of a factor because you can try to show off on DB's too and use horrible form in order to push a little more weight.

 

[chuck66]

Dumbbells also help with balance of the muscle. A realy good dumbbell exercise is to balance yourself on a yoga ball and do dumbbell bench so it focuses on each arm seperatly. It should help on both your arms being even strength on the bench.

 

[brownstown89]

ive heard BB is just to show how strong you are (like a confidence/show off lift). i do tend to be more sore when i use DB. what do you guys think? oh, im doing a recomp/cut some fat off right now so any advice is appreciated .

i can also say that doing DB is because your all show and no go and too ***** to load up the weight on a barbell and lift....

see i can do that too but in all seriousness switch it up... I mean powerlifting involves all barbells squat bench and dead... however alot of assistance work is done with DBs

 

[TheLastRonin]

Use both. Whoever said that statement to you needs a ball kick.

 

[R1balla]

so on chest day, do you guys do BB bench and DB bench then BB incline and DB incline?

 

[Jeremy Brown]

so on chest day, do you guys do BB bench and DB bench then BB incline and DB incline?

everyday is different... different workout, different exercises, different order. you should constantly be switching things around, from DB's to BB's to cables, from every angle whether it be flat, decline or incline...

 

[TheLastRonin]

so on chest day, do you guys do BB bench and DB bench then BB incline and DB incline?

I like flat or decline bb bench to start with incline dumbells at the end. Sometimes I do the reverse. :drive:

 

[BoyFromAus]

BB does allow to to load up on weight. Creating a bigger overall load.

DB' use requires more stabilization, and can allow for a little more stretch on the working muscles.

I think that's spot on..

the way I see it.

In exercises where u're body is acting as one unit, BBs are better to use. Such exercises include squat, deadlift and clean & jerk.

When you want to improve overall power, use both.

When you want to develop good stability and balance, definitely DB. It's the best way too address imbalance in muscles and develop stability.

 

[Young Gotti]

depends on the lift for me....bb for bench seems to give me a pump and work muscles better than db's even though i'm currently using db presses instead to switch it up...i like doing shoulder presses with db's instead of using the barbell, but i am currently using bb's instead of db's to switch it up..also like using db's for bicep curls...i sound like a hypocrit but thats just my preferences

 

[waynaferd]

My chest day involves 3-4 sets of BB in the 8-9 rep range, 3 sets incline DB in the 8-9 rep range, and then some light work of various stuff.

Anyway, doing flat BB then incline DB is hard to beat for pump, stretch, and a good burn.

I feel it hits a good deal of muscles from different angles, maybe even better than flyes or decline, buts that's purely my opinion, since flyes kill my shoulders.

 

[rantorcha]

Use both. Mix it up.

I absoluetly agree! Why bother thinking of which is better - do both! Plus, neither of them work well if you don't train with intensity. But BOTH will work well if you do.

 

[Bnatural]

For chest:
35 degree DB Inc Flye/Press 3sets 6-8 reps
15 degree BB Inc Press 3 sets 6-8 reps
Flat BB Press 2 sets 8-10 reps

I tend to alternate my lifts, esp. since I workout at home now and my variety is limited to the weights I have. I like heavy incline pressing first to build mid/upper chest. I never do decline pressing purely for chest, but I use a close grip (decline) version on my triceps workout which will still hit lower chest

 

[R1balla]

when i do chest day, im going to use DB, and on my 5x5 day i will use BB. so this SHOULD work out nicely eh? ha

 

[Bnatural]

r1, thats a good plan

 

[DEE151]

useing both of them is good they are both real good and i think i can not compare one with the other. BB & DB both do the job

 

[Stronze717]

in my opinion, the best thing to do it alternate it every couple of months. i found that my barbell bench goes up when i go for about 8 weeks with just dumbbells. dumbbells stimulates more muscles in the chest but barbell is best for overall mass.