Bench Press vs Dumbbell Bench Press
Maximizing Your Chest Workout Plan
Contents
Dumbbell Bench Press is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 3. Compare Chest form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Chest Workout: Explore the Benefits of Bench Press and Dumbbell Bench Press for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Bench Press vs Dumbbell Bench Press : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Bench Press more often — 38,526 sessions compared to 31,543 for Dumbbell Bench Press.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Bench Press and Dumbbell Bench Press differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Bench Press and Dumbbell Bench Press Differ
| What differs | Bench Press | Dumbbell Bench Press |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 38,526 sessions | 31,543 sessions |
How to Bench Press
Bench Press muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the barbell until it touches below your chest.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Slowly lift the barbell back to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. If the barbell does not touch your chest, please lower it as much as possible without overexerting yourself.
- 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
How to Dumbbell Bench Press
Dumbbell Bench Press muscles worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Slowly lower the dumbbell so that it is next to your chest.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Slowly lift the dumbbell back to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. If you can't lower the dumbbell to chest height, please lower it as much as you can without straining.
- 2. Be careful not to let your shoulders come forward of your chest, as this can put strain on your shoulders.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips come off the bench.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Dumbbell Bench Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Dumbbell Bench Press Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Bench Press or Dumbbell Bench Press?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Chest, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Bench Press and Dumbbell Bench Press need?
Bench Press needs a barbell, and Dumbbell Bench Press needs a dumbbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Dumbbell Bench Press is the easier place to start. Move to Bench Press once your form holds up.
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