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Quote (Jon Stark @ April 04 2002,12:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">This might sound heretical, but for some movements I really think dumbbells are preferrable. I don't have any EMG evidence or anything...
For example, bench press. With the barbell your hands are equidistant throughout the movement, whereas with dumbbells you can move through a more "natural" range of motion -- wide grip at the bottom, narrow at the top.
Or you can even keep your hands equidistant using the dumbbells, and at the top of the motion the tension on the pecs is pretty intense (since you need to resist the dumbbells' tendency to fall to the side). I never feel much at the top of a barbell press. It feels more like a triceps exercise once the bar is like 8" off my chest.
The only problem is that when you start dealing with heavy dumbbells, getting in position to perform lifts can be a little awkward. And spotters are no help. That's really the only reason I do barbell presses now.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
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Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The only problem is that when you start dealing with heavy dumbbells, getting in position to perform lifts can be a little awkward. And spotters are no help. That's really the only reason I do barbell presses now.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Same reason I favor DB exercises - I don't have a spotter, but my ego seems to want me to be trapped under the bar ;o)