Stronger on Incline DB Than Flat BB Bench

Bigger Stronger Leaner
1

When I start my chest workout, I always do a few short incremental warmup sets to my working sets – which at the present time is 205 for about 7-8 reps(which is usually failure). Then I work my way down back down(all sets to near failure). Most chest workouts, I do 35 degree incline dumbbell presses directly after the barbell work.

Why do I always seem to be stronger at that part of the workout compared to my barbell press, which is a mighty struggle to get those first 8 reps of 205? Today I did 8 reps of 75lb dumbbells, then 7 reps of 85lb – even when doing pushups in between sets.

Is it possible that what I think is my flat barbell work is actually my warmup for the dumbbells? Not complaining about it at all, just wondering if it’s out of the ordinary. Should I drop barbell for a while and focus on getting my dumbbell press into the 100’s?

2

the real question is: is your chest growing? If yes, then it’s all good and there’s nothing to worry about.

If no, then change something.

3

I would say, yes it’s growing.

4

[quote]adrencg wrote:
I would say, yes it’s growing. [/quote]

then it’s all good brother!

The strength thing’ll be to do with stuff like CNS activation, and your body mechanics probably favouring one lift over the other.

Point is, if what you’re doing is working then there’s no need to worry.

5

So would it be possible that leaning more towards my stronger exercise will improve the weaker one in time? I like dumbbell presses, but we all know most lifter’s egos are based on the flat bench numbers. I’m no different.

6

7 reps of 85lb DB’s on incline isn’t stronger than 8 reps of 205 on bench.

85+85 < 205lbs

Anyway, this could be due to a number of things but the real question is “why does it matter?” Is your goal to compete in a powerlifting meet or a bench press competition? Is your goal to have thick meaty symetrical chesticals? What’s the goal?

If you aren’t competing in strength sports, the weight on the bar doesn’t matter, the results that come from the exercise do. You get what I’m saying?

7

If we’re being perfectly honest, I’m giving it an 85% chance that you’re cutting your reps high on incline presses and not really reaping the benefits of full chest activation. THAT’S why. Drop the ego and drop the weight.

8

[quote]gregron wrote:
7 reps of 85lb DB’s on incline isn’t stronger than 8 reps of 205 on bench.

85+85 < 205lbs

Anyway, this could be due to a number of things but the real question is “why does it matter?” Is your goal to compete in a powerlifting meet or a bench press competition? Is your goal to have thick meaty symetrical chesticals? What’s the goal?

If you aren’t competing in strength sports, the weight on the bar doesn’t matter, the results that come from the exercise do. You get what I’m saying?[/quote]

Less weight mathematically, but aren’t there variables in the incline dumbbell lift that make it tougher than a flat barbell press? Maybe I have it the wrong way, but I don’t see a lot of people swinging 100+ pound dumbbells in my gym – but I do see a lot of the same people benching 2 plates.

Anyway, I’ll go with the meaty chesticals as my goal…and I am making progress, but I believe there’s room for improvement in my workout efficiency.

9

[quote]adrencg wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:
7 reps of 85lb DB’s on incline isn’t stronger than 8 reps of 205 on bench.

85+85 < 205lbs

Anyway, this could be due to a number of things but the real question is “why does it matter?” Is your goal to compete in a powerlifting meet or a bench press competition? Is your goal to have thick meaty symetrical chesticals? What’s the goal?

If you aren’t competing in strength sports, the weight on the bar doesn’t matter, the results that come from the exercise do. You get what I’m saying?[/quote]

Less weight mathematically, but aren’t there variables in the incline dumbbell lift that make it tougher than a flat barbell press? Maybe I have it the wrong way, but I don’t see a lot of people swinging 100+ pound dumbbells in my gym – but I do see a lot of the same people benching 2 plates.

Anyway, I’ll go with the meaty chesticals as my goal…and I am making progress, but I believe there’s room for improvement in my workout efficiency.
[/quote]
Could be, but maybe not. That’s the tough thing about weightlifting, cardio and diet advice. It’s not a “1 size fits all” type of a deal. Sure, there are basic principles that apply to virtually everyone but nothing is set in stone for all people.

It could be your set up, it could be that your system is primed and fully activated by the time you hit inclines, it could be that you’re just naturally a better incline presser than flat because of other muscle recruitment or, like SSC said, it could be that your cutting your incline reps high.

Without a video of your incline and flat pressing it would be hard to accurately give you am assessment my friend.

10

[quote]adrencg wrote:

Less weight mathematically, but aren’t there variables in the incline dumbbell lift that make it tougher than a flat barbell press? Maybe I have it the wrong way, but I don’t see a lot of people swinging 100+ pound dumbbells in my gym – but I do see a lot of the same people benching 2 plates.

Anyway, I’ll go with the meaty chesticals as my goal…and I am making progress, but I believe there’s room for improvement in my workout efficiency.
[/quote]

My best 3RM for incline barbell is 265, and my best 3RM for incline dumbbells is the 100’s and they were a freaking nightmare to load. But those are still far below my 3RM on flat bench at 325.

11

[quote]gregron wrote:
7 reps of 85lb DB’s on incline isn’t stronger than 8 reps of 205 on bench.

85+85 < 205lbs

Anyway, this could be due to a number of things but the real question is “why does it matter?” Is your goal to compete in a powerlifting meet or a bench press competition? Is your goal to have thick meaty symetrical chesticals? What’s the goal?

If you aren’t competing in strength sports, the weight on the bar doesn’t matter, the results that come from the exercise do. You get what I’m saying?[/quote]

After performing barbell bench press with decent volume and intensity, I would argue your point about the db strength level vs barbell in this case. I know that after I complete my barbell bench press routine, I am definitely not “fresh” when I go to the accessory lifts afterwards. The OP, I would say, is a stronger db incline presser than barbell bencher at this point, especially if they were performed in reverse order.

Bench press form is a very important factor here. Is the OP using a more powerlifting variation (back arched, elbows tucked, etc.) or a bodybuilding style (flared arms, wide grip, flat back, etc.)? This can make a significant difference in terms of poundage.

I agree with your point on “why does it matter” if the goal is more aesthetic in nature than strength. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (in terms of muscle growth).

12

[quote]gregron wrote:

[quote]adrencg wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:
7 reps of 85lb DB’s on incline isn’t stronger than 8 reps of 205 on bench.

85+85 < 205lbs

Anyway, this could be due to a number of things but the real question is “why does it matter?” Is your goal to compete in a powerlifting meet or a bench press competition? Is your goal to have thick meaty symetrical chesticals? What’s the goal?

If you aren’t competing in strength sports, the weight on the bar doesn’t matter, the results that come from the exercise do. You get what I’m saying?[/quote]

Less weight mathematically, but aren’t there variables in the incline dumbbell lift that make it tougher than a flat barbell press? Maybe I have it the wrong way, but I don’t see a lot of people swinging 100+ pound dumbbells in my gym – but I do see a lot of the same people benching 2 plates.

Anyway, I’ll go with the meaty chesticals as my goal…and I am making progress, but I believe there’s room for improvement in my workout efficiency.
[/quote]
Could be, but maybe not. That’s the tough thing about weightlifting, cardio and diet advice. It’s not a “1 size fits all” type of a deal. Sure, there are basic principles that apply to virtually everyone but nothing is set in stone for all people.

It could be your set up, it could be that your system is primed and fully activated by the time you hit inclines, it could be that you’re just naturally a better incline presser than flat because of other muscle recruitment or, like SSC said, it could be that your cutting your incline reps high.

Without a video of your incline and flat pressing it would be hard to accurately give you am assessment my friend.
[/quote]

I guess you addressed my point here. Didn’t catch this before I posted.

13

[quote]Souldozer wrote:

[quote]gregron wrote:
7 reps of 85lb DB’s on incline isn’t stronger than 8 reps of 205 on bench.

85+85 < 205lbs

Anyway, this could be due to a number of things but the real question is “why does it matter?” Is your goal to compete in a powerlifting meet or a bench press competition? Is your goal to have thick meaty symetrical chesticals? What’s the goal?

If you aren’t competing in strength sports, the weight on the bar doesn’t matter, the results that come from the exercise do. You get what I’m saying?[/quote]

After performing barbell bench press with decent volume and intensity, I would argue your point about the db strength level vs barbell in this case. I know that after I complete my barbell bench press routine, I am definitely not “fresh” when I go to the accessory lifts afterwards. The OP, I would say, is a stronger db incline presser than barbell bencher at this point, especially if they were performed in reverse order.

Bench press form is a very important factor here. Is the OP using a more powerlifting variation (back arched, elbows tucked, etc.) or a bodybuilding style (flared arms, wide grip, flat back, etc.)? This can make a significant difference in terms of poundage.

I agree with your point on “why does it matter” if the goal is more aesthetic in nature than strength. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it (in terms of muscle growth).[/quote]

I’ve been pretty strict about getting my form correct lately. My grip is slightly wider than my shoulders, elbows tucked, butt on the bench at all times, shoulder blades pinched, back arched, bar touch chest, drive with my lower body, etc. At least I try to focus on those things with each rep, but I know it can’t stay perfect – especially when driving out that last hard rep.

In the past, I used a wide grip with elbows flared and my recent corrections have saved my shoulders. Feels so much better.

But I think a good point was made about me being more primed for my dumbbell work after my barbell work. Kind of like my BB is a warmup for my DB. But when I do too much BB warmup, my first work set seems to suffer. So it could be what you say, that I’m just naturally stronger with DB. Either way it’s all good because I’m the best shape I’ve been in a long time.

14

[quote]Ecchastang wrote:

[quote]adrencg wrote:

Less weight mathematically, but aren’t there variables in the incline dumbbell lift that make it tougher than a flat barbell press? Maybe I have it the wrong way, but I don’t see a lot of people swinging 100+ pound dumbbells in my gym – but I do see a lot of the same people benching 2 plates.

Anyway, I’ll go with the meaty chesticals as my goal…and I am making progress, but I believe there’s room for improvement in my workout efficiency.
[/quote]

my best 3RM for incline dumbbells is the 100’s and they were a freaking nightmare to load. [/quote]

this. The loading aspect is just awful if you train by yourself. I honestly have no desire to find out what my max incline dumbbell press is.

15

[quote]flipcollar wrote:

[quote]Ecchastang wrote:

[quote]adrencg wrote:

Less weight mathematically, but aren’t there variables in the incline dumbbell lift that make it tougher than a flat barbell press? Maybe I have it the wrong way, but I don’t see a lot of people swinging 100+ pound dumbbells in my gym – but I do see a lot of the same people benching 2 plates.

Anyway, I’ll go with the meaty chesticals as my goal…and I am making progress, but I believe there’s room for improvement in my workout efficiency.
[/quote]

my best 3RM for incline dumbbells is the 100’s and they were a freaking nightmare to load. [/quote]

this. The loading aspect is just awful if you train by yourself. I honestly have no desire to find out what my max incline dumbbell press is.[/quote]

Been using this guy’s trick for a few weeks. When doing 85’s the other day, I asked for an elbow boost, but I ended up getting them into the air without his help.

It works.

16

Never gone higher than the 120’s but I don’t see the point in low rep DB work. Never really understood it so I have never tried a 3rm or whatever