Switch to dumbell benching, now my barbell bench is weaker.... why?

[Davis "Badzooka" Badzik]

Before reading, take in mind that I'm a 17 year old that sucks at benching

So basically I switched to dumbell bench pressing because I wanted to switched thing up. Only did that for 4 weeks. I liked it a lot and my chest and tris got more of a burn from it.

I went back to barbell bench pressing today, and it was SOOOO much harder than before, I don't even think I can get 170 when my max is 185!

Did the switch to dumbells for those 4 weeks make my barbell weaker? Is this a normal thing that happens when changing up routine?

 

[Zen82]

I don't think it's uncommon.

I'm not a great bencher either, and sometimes I'd do dumbbell bench for extended periods with big gains, and my barbell bench really wasn't impacted at all.

 

[PLftw]

dumbells dont convert to barbell

 

[Gingervitis]

How did the rest of your routine look like? That could have a much bigger impact than just barbell vs dumbell benching. From the sound of this

So basically I switched to dumbell bench pressing because I wanted to switched thing up. Only did that for 4 weeks. I liked it a lot and my chest and tris got more of a burn from it.

You have bigger problems to worry about than your bench going down.

 

[PLftw]

in his defense i once switched to FS for a month in place of BS to see what kind, if any impact it had...

i did the same a long time ago with leg press

conclusion= BS is king and everything converts around it lol (low bar)

just incase you were thinking of switching that up too. sometimes you gotta stick to the basics

 

[Cratos]

Only read thread title.

It's because you stopped practicing barbell bench press.

 

[KnuckleSangwich]

What Cratos said. If you want to get better at barbell benching, bench using a barbell more often

Oh and if you failed @ 170lbs you're max is no longer 185, it used to be. Get under the bar.

 

[KnightTemplar]

What Cratos and KS said.

While some exercises carry over better than others, generally speaking the only way to radically improve a specific Lift is to do it more often.

 

[TeddyRoosevelt]

dumbells dont convert to barbell

I think what you are trying to say is there is little carry-over between DB and BB exercises.

I also think what you are trying to say is an incorrect generalizations.

 

[bigben89]

dumbells are great.... when paired with barbells. do both, and they'll both go up.

 

[Modern Warrior1]

Only read thread title.

It's because you stopped practicing barbell bench press.

This.

What Cratos said. If you want to get better at barbell benching, bench using a barbell more often

Oh and if you failed @ 170lbs you're max is no longer 185, it used to be. Get under the bar.

This.

What Cratos and KS said.

While some exercises carry over better than others, generally speaking the only way to radically improve a specific Lift is to do it more often.

That.

 

[PLftw]

I think what you are trying to say is there is little carry-over between DB and BB exercises.

I also think what you are trying to say is an incorrect generalizations.

if youre barbell exercises go up, so do your db. but not the other way imo.

but could be wrong youre right.

give it a shot yourself.

 

[Eric Brown]

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The other.

 

[Gingervitis]

This.



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That.

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[TreyH]

my chest and tris got more of a burn from it.

From the limited information provided it sounds more like a rep range/weight issue than a 'dumbells don't carry over to barbell' issue; that's just foolish. You do need to bench with a bar to get better at doing that particular exercise, however, dumbells will make you stronger as well when used properly.

Strength is strength, and at 17 you should theoretically be making plenty of gains.

 

[PLftw]

From the limited information provided it sounds more like a rep range/weight issue than a 'dumbells don't carry over to barbell' issue; that's just foolish. You do need to bench with a bar to get better at doing that particular exercise, however, dumbells will make you stronger as well when used properly.

Strength is strength, and at 17 you should theoretically be making plenty of gains.

the hammer machine and smith machine will also make you stronger..

 

[TreyH]

the hammer machine and smith machine will also make you stronger..

Come on! Now you're just being a ra-tard. Let's try not to corrupt this young individual's mind...well..at least not with useless machinery anyway.

 

[MAAddict**]

DB presses are a good assistance exercise but never a replacement for the barbell bench.

 

[Brodown**]

This.



This.




That.

And this

 

[PowerHungry]

Bench more.