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blast00

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I know this is a question that varies with people, but on the average, what are your opinions on the following:
If you can curl 35 pounds with each arm simoultaniously, how much should you be able to curl with the straight curl bar? (using both hands), I think it is 70 just because its two (35s), but some people think otherwise because of balance things etc..

Also, if you can bench 60 pounds in each hand, with a free weight bench press (just do it lying on the flat bench, with dumbells), how much do you think one should be able to bench, doing an acutal benchpress with a 45 pounds bar and plates on it, etc... I think it may not just be double this time..

Thanks!!
 
Barbell bench presses are much easier than dumbbell bench presses, from my own experience.

With dumbbells, you're using triceps more, it's hard to balance (with a very heavy weight), and your elbows can feel awkward, because you can't push your arms out as wide as you want to. And if you do, it will probably hurt much more.

With a nice wide grip in a barbell bench press, all of those problems disappear.


Don't know about curling, I don't curl...
 
I'm asking because I do 60 pound dumbells in each hand when i dumbell press.. but I can only bench press around 135... and I have trouble..

However, I met someone, who does 60 pound dumbells in each hand for free bench press, and when he does barbell bench press he puts up 170...

I have trouble balancing the bar and I just can't figure out why im so weak when I do barbell.. I never feel my chest wear out or anything, and I do it correctly, I'm sure (form wise).
 
I definitely agree that dumbell presses are much harder than barbell press. You aren't just pushing up, you have the added dimension of having to bring the dumbells in toward each other (or at least not let them come away from each other)

I'm adding it up in my head and I think I use pretty much the same weight with hammer curls and EZ bar curls though
 
theGOOCH said:
I definitely agree that dumbell presses are much harder than barbell press. You aren't just pushing up, you have the added dimension of having to bring the dumbells in toward each other (or at least not let them come away from each other)
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Then why am I at the point where im almost doing more weight with dumbell press than I am with bench press
 
blast00 said:
Then why am I at the point where im almost doing more weight with dumbell press than I am with bench press
Click to expand...

I would say technique.

Specifically, how wide is your grip? You say you find it hard to balance the bar, well that would usually indicate your grip is WAY too close.

Lie on the bench, spread out your arms as if to grab the bar, then take your arms back, as if the bar was on your chest, now make sure your elbows are at 90 degrees to your arms, then not changing the direction of your forearms, bring them up to the bar. That's how wide your grip should generally be.
 
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