Question regarding dumbells...

[BenGrowing]

Prior to DC training, my favorite pressing movements were with dumbells (shoulder, incline, flat etc.). I know that if you feel you must include these movements in the program, DC recommends 15-30 RP. I also have a pair of gym approved Power Hooks lying around. How effective do you guys feel these movements will be utilizing the 15-30 RP range and Power Hooks? Should I attempt dumbells on my next blast or do you feel that barbells would still be superior?

[bigp3]

I would ask DC but I personally like db's for shoulder presses and barbells for chest. I dont know why, but I feel them more in my shoulders than I do with barbells. I do think your chance of injury is increased by using DB's for shoulder presses so just keep that in mind. I have seen a few people fuck themselves up pretty nicely with them.

[In-Human]

BenGrowing, bigp is correct, DBs can cause some injuries and to lift alone r/p worksets are very tough, but if you have Powerhooks those will work for this program...

[BenGrowing]

Much appreciated, bigp and In-Human. I feel dumbell presses more in my shoulders than barbells as well. I rotate the dumbells inward somewhat at the bottom of the movement and love the ROM they provide. I think I may attempt these on my next blast and see how the RP and weight/rep progession goes. For those of you whom have incorporated dumbell pressing movements into your routine, have you noticed the same degree of progession as you have with barbells, Smiths, or machines?

[In-Human]

BenGrowing, Well since DC is always on me to go lighter for injury purposes, I did switch to DB Shoulder Press, and I go high reps 15-30. I can't say that I feel it any different than Smythe, BB or Machine, for myself...

[Massive G]

I got some powerhooks specifically for doing DB shoulder presses but I don't really like the feel of them.....they didn't really make it any easier IMO. Keeping the reps at 20-30RP it's not that hard kicking them up for every set cos I'm only going up to 120 or so....

[In-Human]

FH, I never used them but have seen them and always wonder how to get them hoisted up to the bar.

I am up to 140s for shoulder press and kicking them takes away some strength, thats for sure...

[Massive G]

IH..I like the idea of the powerhooks in theory that's why I bought them but for me unracking the weights ended up being much harder than kicking up DB's.Having the DB's hooked off of an olympic bar I couldn't find a start position for them that worked for me. If the bar was set too high I'd be unracking them from my sitcking point and if I brought the bar a little lower and had them starting from the bottom it just seemed a lot harder.Ideally I wish I had two slaves/training partners to hand th DB's to me each time but the problem with training partners IMO is that I have to pretend that I give a crap about their workout too in between my extremely important sets and that just take too much of my precious energy....So the search for a spotter continues....

[BenGrowing]

Thanks again for the input guys. I attempted to use the Power Hooks once, before beginning DC training, and, like you FrigginHuge, didn't find DB pressing to be any better. They actually seemed pretty awkward. Keeping my reps in the 15-30 RP range I may find that I don't need them. I mean, I'm not gonna be throwing around the 120s or 140s or anything, holy fecal browns, you freaks!

[BenGrowing]

Originally posted by FrigginHuge
IH..I like the idea of the powerhooks in theory that's why I bought them but for me unracking the weights ended up being much harder than kicking up DB's.Having the DB's hooked off of an olympic bar I couldn't find a start position for them that worked for me. If the bar was set too high I'd be unracking them from my sitcking point and if I brought the bar a little lower and had them starting from the bottom it just seemed a lot harder.....

EXACTLY the same problem I had, bro.

[Massive G]

Oh...did I say I used the 120's....After seeing what InHuman used I remembered I'm up to the 145s now....LOLOL For sets of 30 that is....

[In-Human]

FH and BG, Thanks for that, I figured it would be a pain in the ass, and I should have mentioned I only do DB Shoulder Press when I have this day I train three guys at once, so we go through the whole routine and I have three spotters on that day, kinda nice and they pay me too, hehe.

There is no way I could kick up 140s for shoulders...

[Massive G]

Brother 140's for high reps...extremely impressive....

[rugbythug]

Shit my gym doesn't even have 140's