DB bench vs. BB bench

[BIGGUY6FT6]

Coach Rippetoe--
Is DB bench as effective as BB bench if you have DB's with 2.5 lb increments? Also, if you have a heavy bench day and no spotter would DB's be better or worse than BB as long as you stay consistant with one or the other? Thanks in advance.

BTW am addicted to Deadlifts and Squats now after reading your book...never thought I would say that!

[Mark Rippetoe]

There are 2 problems with this. 1.) Nobody has dumbbells in 2.5 lb. increments, because they're not made this way. At least not heavy ones. And this would still be 5 lb. jumps, which is too heavy toward the end of a linear progression. 2.) You cannot handle heavy dumbbells any more safely without a spotter than you can a barbell. Have you ever tried to get in position on a bench with 122 lb. dumbbells? It's no party, and you can really hurt a shoulder or two.

[Jamie J. Skibicki]

If you could make smaller jumps (some ferromagnetic washers, a 60 amp dc power supply, a pretty serious electro magnet and physics degree), are there any issues with the db bench?

Also, I'm going to the Barbell Cert in Longwood, Florida. Do you have any suggestions to prepare for the class to get the most out of it?

[Mark Rippetoe]

There is still the problem of handling the heavier dumbbells, and your physics degree didn't prepare you for that.

As for preparation for the cert, just read the books thoroughly. This will help a lot. By the way, we give a set of BBT/PPST/training log to every attendee. Just in case you haven't got them already.