Dumbbell Bench Press

[skace]

Does it matter whether I hold the dumbbells perpendicular or parallel to my body?

 

[syzygy]

you can do either. in fact, you can begin parallel and rotate them a quarter of the way until they're perpendicular or you can rotate them fully to complete the motion. you
can also do this on the incline bench. you can also vary the speed for added impact.

 

[MJinZ]

I think it does, I find perp to be far more stable. I definitely don't think I could do as much weight if I did parallel.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

When holding the DB's parallel to the body, you tend to do a triceps-dominant exercise. Rotating the DB's 90 degrees so they're perpendicular to your body allows the pecs to engage for more than stabilization. If you're looking to do a bench press for both chest and triceps, do them with the DB's perpendicular to your body.

 

[brikis98]

If you hold them parallel, you'll probably shift your elbows close to your sides and end up doing the dumbbell equivalent of the close grip bench press. This is a good tricep exercise, but probably not what your going for during a normal BP session. Keep the DB's horizontal with your elbows at ~45 degrees - essentially mirroring the barbell bench press - and you'll get a better workout for your entire upper body.

 

[skace]

This explains a lot, thank you. I've been doing them parallel up to 50lbs.

 

[Kromis]

Sorry if I threadjack but if I don't have an incline bench to do dumbbell bench presses, what other alternatives/methods do I have?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

you can put a plate underneath one side of your bench