Don-Wan Kenobi
Senior Don Juan
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2001
- Messages
- 490
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- 3
While we're on the topic of free weights, I've got a confession to make and am need of a little advice myself.Originally posted by DIESEL
Stop being pvssies and use free weights.
I squat and deadlift with a bar - no substitutions. With one or two exceptions, I rely exclusively on free weights. When chest day roles around, I stick with free weights but instead of lifting the bar I use dumbbells.
Been doing this for the passed couple of months. I work with an adjustable bench, putting most of my effort into the incline db press. I shy away from barbell presses (ic and flat) for three reasons:
1. Usually no spotter (DIESEL did a good job of clearing this up for me in a previous post).
so I'm left with:
2. Affraid I'm not going all out without a spotter. The mentality is that I can go as heavy as I like with a dumbbell in each hand, pump out between five and eight reps per set, and never have to worry about calling someone over to help lift a bar off my chest (had this happen with a barbell when I was younger).
3. Watched some dude dislocate his shoulder while struggling with a barbell and a non-adjustable incline bench. I hate these type of benches because you're starting with the bar about an inch away from your head and just lifting it to the starting position is difficult.
I'm a little ashamed to admit this. I don't avoid exercises because someone told me they're dangerous or they take a lot of effort. I'm a squat-row-deadlift kind of guy but I feel like a wimp when I center my chest day around dumbbell presses. Assuming I want to get bigger and stronger, can I afford to be doing this? I can transition back to doing flatbench barbell presses easily enough if it will increase my gains, but I like to focus more on incline work and I'm a bit intimidated by the non-adjustable, incline bench o horror. Is my fear justified? Should I just suck it up and get used to the damned piece of equipment or can I expect the same results going heavy with dumbbells?
I have a very low opinion of smith machines and haven't even thought of using one with an adjustable bench.
DWK