There is no such thing as a doubting most gymgoers’ attraction to the barbell bench press. It’s a part of the Massive 3 lifts for a motive: The barbell bench press, with its stability and comparatively mounted vary of movement, permits the lifter to maneuver probably the most weight potential. However via harm or vary of movement points, not everyone seems to be able to maximizing the bench press. That’s the place the dumbbell bench press is available in.
You can’t go as heavy with this variation, however the dumbbell bench press does have a couple of benefits over the barbell variation. As you carry two dumbbells, every arm is working independently, strengthening imbalances between sides.
Massive deal, you say, however wait, there may be extra: Strengthening imbalances results in higher muscle improvement of the chest and triceps for higher flex enchantment,
And dumbbells offer you extra freedom of motion than your barbell grip and better depth at a decrease weight. It’s a terrific stand-alone train and an excellent accessory exercise for the barbell bench press.
However to get probably the most bang in your dumbbell buck, it’s greatest to cease falling prey to those frequent dumbbell bench press errors. Right here we’ll dive into learn how to do the dumbbell bench press train appropriately and fixes for frequent miscues so you possibly can proceed making good points each chest day.
How To Do The Dumbbell Bench Press
- Sit upright on a flat bench with a dumbbell on every knee.
- Then lie down and drive the dumbbells again in direction of you together with your knees whereas urgent up the dumbbells.
- Decrease the dumbbells, preserving your elbows at 45 levels from the torso.
- As soon as your elbows are roughly even with the extent of your torso, push the dumbbells again up and reset and repeat.
It doesn’t appear difficult, however the satan is within the particulars.
What’s Wanted For A Good Dumbbell Bench Press Type
In case you’re going heavy, ideally is greatest to have a spotter for security functions, however that isn’t at all times the case. That’s why organising and ending this carry correctly is important. Listed below are a couple of different issues wanted for good kind.
- First rate grip and wrist energy: The dumbbell bench press requires extra grip energy than the same old press variation due to the dumbbell’s freedom of motion in comparison with the barbell.
- No anterior shoulder ache: This variation is less complicated on the shoulder, but when anterior shoulder ache exists, watch out.
- Capacity to arrange and end with no spotter: Utilizing physique English to get dumbbells into place could be simpler, however your shoulders will hate you. And dropping the dumbbells to the bottom while you’re executed is just not cool, it doesn’t matter what anybody says.
- Correct higher arm angle: You possibly can press together with your arm tucked to your aspect or elbow, parallel together with your shoulder, however it isn’t ultimate. To get the most effective out of the dumbbell bench press, use a 45-degree arm angle.
3 Widespread Dumbbell Bench Press Errors
Excellent kind not often exists, particularly because the dumbbell weights begin rising. Little errors will occur, nevertheless, these technical flaws ought to be mounted irrespective of the quantity of weight you’re pushing. In any other case, these errors will have an effect on your security and the flexibility to amass first rate quantities of muscle and energy with this carry.
Do not forget that the most typical error is letting your ego get in the way in which of lifting too heavy. However you need to know that by now, proper?
Improper Setup And End
It could appear cool and simpler to drop the dumbbells and really feel that “thud” after ending your set, but it surely’s not solely lame, it may be unsafe for you and others. First, the dumbbells may rebound and hit somebody shut, and two, the dumbbell would possibly break. Nevertheless, doing this too typically, particularly with heavier weights, can finally trigger harm to your shoulder joints.
Repair it: Attempt to not drop the dumbbells, because the video reveals. Please require your exercise associate or somebody on the health club to identify you in the event you should.

Too A lot or Too Little Vary of Movement
There’s a time and place for shortening or increasing one’s vary of movement, however the dumbbell bench press is just not a kind of workout routines. Lowering the ROM means leaving potential good points on the bench as a result of the muscle is below much less muscle-building rigidity. Growing the ROM by dropping your elbow under your torso places the anterior shoulder in a compromised place, presumably resulting in ache and harm.
Repair it: When shoppers carry out this train, I place my hand under their torso and inform them to the touch my elbow. My arms give them a reference level; after a couple of reps, they know the way deep to go. Get a exercise associate to do that, or carry out a dumbbell ground press as an alternative you probably have issue judging your individual ROM.

Higher Arm Angle
Taking your elbow out too broad places the shoulder in a compromised place, making it much less of a chest train. Plus, having your elbow tucked into your aspect emphasizes the triceps a bit greater than the chest. To make the dumbbell bench press an equal chest and triceps builder, a 45-degree arm angle works greatest.
Repair it: This is so simple as figuring out your higher arm place when urgent. In case you really feel your higher arm brushing your aspect, it’s too shut; in the event you ‘”eel it” an excessive amount of in your anterior shoulder, you’re too broad.
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