Dumbbell bench vs barbell bench

[Sawol]

Every time I barbell bench it really aggravates my shoulders, however dumbbell benching doesn't. Would it be ok to just dumbbell bench? I am benching mainly to increase my overhead press and reap from carryover strength.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Fine with me.

[Sawol]

Thanks for the quick response.

While you're on I'd like to ask another question. I am pressing 205 at a BW of 225 right now, really excited to get two plates soon.

However, I have a core weakness it seems. On my work sets lately there's been a great deal of back bend and it makes it hard to lockout. I am thinking of doing some heavy overhead squatting and front squats to overlead the core. Or are there better core exercises (specifically for the press)?

[Ian Kovtunovich]

Well, it's not fine with me! Every time this guy DB benches, I get this horrible stabbing pain in my triceps. Happened today while I was benching with the barbell, like you're supposed to, and I nearly dropped the whole rig right on the delicate structures that define my handsomeness.

So fuck your shoulders, pal. You're just going to have to stick with the barbell until further notice.

[JLascek]

Just to be sure, your humerus isn't perpendicular to your spine, is it? If you're unsure of what I'm talking about, flip to page 79 of SS:BBT (2nd Ed.).

[Mark Rippetoe]

However, I have a core weakness it seems. On my work sets lately there's been a great deal of back bend and it makes it hard to lockout. I am thinking of doing some heavy overhead squatting and front squats to overlead the core. Or are there better core exercises (specifically for the press)?

Oh yes, the core is very important. I talk about it here all the time, going on and on about the importance of Swiss balls and balance boards in core training. Why, the core is absolutely essential to strength, health, and long life. My advice is to get your one-legged Swiss ball squat up to 95 lbs. as quickly as possible so that your fucking core will be stable. It's by far the best core exercise you can fucking do.

[Sawol]

Just to be sure, your humerus isn't perpendicular to your spine, is it? If you're unsure of what I'm talking about, flip to page 79 of SS:BBT (2nd Ed.).

No, I don't bench like a bodybuilder. I bench with an arch, elbows in, etc. but shoulders still hurt.


Oh yes, the core is very important. I talk about it here all the time, going on and on about the importance of Swiss balls and balance boards in core training. Why, the core is absolutely essential to strength, health, and long life. My advice is to get your one-legged Swiss ball squat up to 95 lbs. as quickly as possible so that your fucking core will be stable. It's by far the best core exercise you can fucking do.

Your sarcasm is duly noted. Will be doing some heavy overhead squats and front squats. Just gotta get access to some bumper plates for OHS.

Also gonna wear a fucking belt while pressing.

[Steve in ATL]

Oh yes, the core is very important. I talk about it here all the time, going on and on about the importance of Swiss balls and balance boards in core training. Why, the core is absolutely essential to strength, health, and long life. My advice is to get your one-legged Swiss ball squat up to 95 lbs. as quickly as possible so that your fucking core will be stable. It's by far the best core exercise you can fucking do.

What Coach Rip is saying is that, as it says in the book, lifts that are near maximal will reveal weakness and form breaks - and strengthen them too. The OH Press will strengthen your core just fine, as long as you keep doing it properly.

[JLascek]

Your sarcasm is duly noted. Will be doing some heavy overhead squats and front squats. Just gotta get access to some bumper plates for OHS.

Also gonna wear a fucking belt while pressing.

Your irritation is duly noted. However, the five basic barbell lifts are exercises that will strengthen your trunk. There isn't a necessity for overhead squats, and certainly not front squats.