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Which on is better for building your chest muscles. I've heard that if you have long arms, the dumbbell press will work better for you, and vice versa if you have short arms. Is there really a difference, or is this all just a matter of preference?
Based on my experiences.. The barbell bench press is better for overall upper body. However, the dumbell bench press is better for exclusively the pectoral muscles.
They are two different exercises (though close), two different forms.
Also, it is a hassle getting set up for heavy dumbbell presses unless you have some assistance; and many gyms do not like throwing the weights down, even if they are a pair of 150lbs dumbbells.
Many people do both; strength training with the barbell, big but boring with the dumbbells. Some people use one or the other because of other reasons, like an injury.
I like the dumbbells more, but my gym has them only go up so far, and I do not have assistance to get set up for it. When I get my home gym going, I am going to make a set up for a dumbbell bench.
I personally think the bench is overrated and there are better exercises for your chest. Try pullovers, chest dips, incline and decline flyes, etc.
The bench is not over/under rated, it is just the bench. The bench is not specifically just for the chest, and only people into vanity would even think that.
I prefer a variety of chest exercises. I frequently use db's and do flat bench, incline bench, decline bench, cable work, push ups, etc. I recently did a flat barbell press with chains attached, now that was fun!
It's not that any certain exercise is better than any other...What's important is that you frequently change your workouts up and you don't let your body get used to any certain routine. Variety and change is the key.
Having said that, I like dumbells better when I can't find somebody to spot me, cuz you can go super heavy and worse comes to worst you can just drop them to the sides...Can't do that with a straight bar!
Dumbbell presses involve more ancillary muscles as you have to work to keep individual weights in control (stabilized) rather than a straight, solid bar. I bounce back in forth between the two and try to make sure I can press close to the same weight with both techniques. Dumbbells also give you the availability to orientate your hands in different positions throughout the lift, which works the muscles in different ways... they are certainly more versatile.
If you only use the barbell you will not be able to do nearly as much with dumbbell. It is more work to use dumbbells, you simply hit more muscles, that's why I like them. However it is not prudent to choose one over the other, both should be done.
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