I now only do DB bench presses, and do 65x10, 70x8, 75x8. I was wondering if anybody could help me guesstamate my "normal set weight and maybe max bench.
I do DB now to get better balance and control.
Thanks for any answers
What up.
What you’re wondering is going to be pretty hard to answer right. It depends a lot on how much experience you have in the two different lifts, how strong your technique is, etc.
I can barbell press quite a bit more than what I lift in pairs of DB’s. I think the trick to getting a nice heavy DB press going is the set-up. Careful when you lay back on the bench with those DB’s in your hands! 
I knew it might be hard to answer, thanks though. I’ve just switched over 1 month ago. I started with 50x6. Yes the setup w/o a spotter sucks.
According to Poliquin, you should be able to DB bench about 90% of your Barbell bench.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=459558
Of course this is only an estimate, but at least you can come up with a ballpark figure.
Hmmm, when my max was 300, I was doing sets of 8 with 260 lbs with the bar, and I was using 105 lb dumbbells = 210. 210/260 = 81%. I guess it should be noted though, that I was using a wide grip on the bench at that time (though I’m mostly switched to close grip now), and my dumbbell presses were closer grip.
Is there any articles about the proper form for lifting DBs into place for the lift or dropping the DBs after the lift? This seems to be the weirdest part.
Also, any one try doing the 10x3 with this?
[quote]graphicsMan wrote:
Hmmm, when my max was 300, I was doing sets of 8 with 260 lbs with the bar, and I was using 105 lb dumbbells = 210. 210/260 = 81%. I guess it should be noted though, that I was using a wide grip on the bench at that time (though I’m mostly switched to close grip now), and my dumbbell presses were closer grip.[/quote]
graphicsMan,
Do you find dumbell close grip benches easier than wide grip DB benches?
I am just wondering, I plan on doing more db work in the near future.
You should be doing both DB and BB presses. They may look similar, but are a little different.
dbs are much different then barbell. i would equate them to a close grip bench more so then regular bench because of the hand placement. as with any excercise you need to practice it often to get the groove. someone had recommended close grip benches for atheletes and i believe dbs are even better because they allow greater range of motion and you can do them without a spotter, even though you need to watch out for injuries during the initial setup and the dropping of the weights. laters pk
[quote]captfoolhardy wrote:
Is there any articles about the proper form for lifting DBs into place for the lift or dropping the DBs after the lift? This seems to be the weirdest part.
Also, any one try doing the 10x3 with this? [/quote]
I’m currently doing 10x3 for dumbells presses. I’m using a slight (maybe about 10%) incline as well.
I have an, what some people call, unusual method of lifting and lowering the DB’s athe beggining and end of my sets. I’ll try to explain it, but it might not make any sense without pictures.
I sit at the end of the bench with the dumbells on my knees. Now, most people will lie back on the bench and start the dumbells from their chest. What I do is as I’m laying back, I use my legs to drive the dumbells up, keeping my arms straight the whole time. So now I’m laying down with the dumbells fully extended and I lower my legs back down to the ground. Before I lower my legs, I will literally be lying on the bench with my arms fully extended and my legs in the air. Sometimes, I’ll just leave my legs up for the set.
I do my set and when I finish my last rep, I bring my legs back up as I rock forward. The dumbells will meet my legs about halfway down and then when I’m upright, I’ll be in the same position I started in when setting up (sitting with the dumbells back on the knees).
I’ve done up to 135x3 using this technique, so I think it’s pretty effective. It just takes some time getting used to if you haven’t been doing it that way. I can’t use this technique for higher incline presses though. Usually I just try to do more of a clean from the seated position on inclines.
Let me know if you have any questions.
[quote]AngryVader wrote:
I sit at the end of the bench with the dumbells on my knees. Now, most people will lie back on the bench and start the dumbells from their chest. What I do is as I’m laying back, I use my legs to drive the dumbells up, keeping my arms straight the whole time. So now I’m laying down with the dumbells fully extended and I lower my legs back down to the ground. Before I lower my legs, I will literally be lying on the bench with my arms fully extended…
…I can’t use this technique for higher incline presses though. Usually I just try to do more of a clean from the seated position on inclines.
[/quote]
I do something very similar for my DB presses and it works wonders (bringing the DBs up w the knees and straight arms). Unfortunately, doesn’t work for the inclines - which sucks when you know you can do more weight, but have a hard time getting it up (not that I have difficulty ‘getting it up’ in other endeavors!)
Oh DB press is the best.
I use a similar method to the one used above me. I rest the DBs on my knees. As I lay back, I raise my knees with me, however, I dont keep my arms extended. I kind of let them come up to my chest, its hard to describe.
But I certainly believe its one of the best chest exercises. Why? Well, I’ve seen guys that can bench 300 lbs but try to use Dbs for half that. I believe its beause DBs require more control. Additionally, different movements can be used outside of the normal up and down. Reminds me of those gymnastic articles dealing with strength coupled with control.
[quote]Tank53 wrote:
Oh DB press is the best.
I use a similar method to the one used above me. I rest the DBs on my knees. As I lay back, I raise my knees with me, however, I dont keep my arms extended. I kind of let them come up to my chest, its hard to describe.
But I certainly believe its one of the best chest exercises. Why? Well, I’ve seen guys that can bench 300 lbs but try to use Dbs for half that. I believe its beause DBs require more control. Additionally, different movements can be used outside of the normal up and down. Reminds me of those gymnastic articles dealing with strength coupled with control. [/quote]
If you do it with palms facing forward, it seems to recruit the chest a lot more than BB press. If you want an exercise that is closer to an actual BB press keep your palms facing each other. (If you press with palms facing each other, don’t bring your hands together.)