How often have you attempted dumbbell presses with half the weight of your barbell bench?  That should work, right? 

After all, if your barbell is balanced, you should have equal weight on both sides.  But unless you’re working with a pretty light barbell load, you recognized that splitting the weight in half doesn’t equate to a comparable workout.  You may think the challenge is related to shoulder stability, but you may want to think again. 

This is a biomechanics issue, which keeps you “In The Moment.”

Listen as Dr. J and GG deconstruct the biomechanics of barbell and dumbbell presses, and even toss an interesting perspective into the debate over fixed path v free weight exercises.

We’re ramping up the math and physics in this episode, but not to worry, you’ll get all the information you need to apply these concepts yourself, and decide; barbell, dumbbell or both?

 

In this episode we discuss:

• Forces as vectors
• How forces combine and resolve
• Normal forces
• Angle of incidence
• Shoulder moments
• Elbow moments
• Do dumbbells offer more “freedom” than machines?

Glossary:

 

Angle of incidence - the angular difference between a normal force and an applied force vector

 

Normal Force - a force which contacts a plane at a perpendicular angle

 

Resultant - the product of the combined effects of two or more component vectors

 

Scalar Quantity - A quantity that is fully described by a magnitude alone

 

Vector Quantity - a quantity that is described by both magnitude and direction

References:

 

Duffey, M. and Challis, J. (2011). Vertical and lateral forces applied to the bar during the bench press in novice lifters.  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 25(9): 2442-2447.

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• S1, E2 - “The Fitness Ecosystem”
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• https://www.thinkfitbefitpodcast.com/the-fine-print-1-santana-et-al/
• S2, E3 - “In The Moment”
• S1, E3-”The F Word”

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