[nem]

Originally Posted by BigFrank

I disagree here, I personally think that using dumbbells offers a reduced range of motion, hence the "less stress on the shoulders" when in fact, the reduced range of motion allows people with poor form, to spare their shoulders i.e. elbows do not pass below bench. Also using Dumbbells forces people to stay close compared to going outrageously wide when barbell benching.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree here. Some people don't go low enough when benching with dumbbells, but likewise, plenty of folks fail to touch their chest when benching with a barbell. The reason I feel that dumbbells facilitate a greater range of motion is because with a barbell, once the bar hits your chest, you aren't going to go any lower. On the other hand, it's possible to lower dumbbells ever further down. I've always felt a greater "stretch" when benching with dumbbells. I agree that keeping the dumbbells close (not using a wide grip) helps to reduce shoulder stress, but more importantly it's being able to grip the dumbbells at a slight angle, which has always felt more natural for me.

Originally Posted by BigFrank

Also, one thing I have found with my change from bodybuilding to powerlifting is the focus on a strong upper back. Before, I like many others I had rotator cuff issues and problems with my shoulders. But with my focus ( twice a week now ) on upper back I have found that all pain is gone in rotator cuff and shoulders. Also pain in my elbows has all but gone too. I contribute this totally to hammering my upper back and rear delts like never before. Also, to add another point, I am using weight that I have never used before pushing the bounds of my lifts every week with no issues whatsoever. One would think that by using heavier weight my previous issues would resurface but they have not. Final point, bench better and blast that upper back.

Here is a good article worth reading on the subject.
http://www.elitefts.com/documents/up..._the_bench.htm

Thanks for the advice and link! I definitely agree that working the upper back and lats will increase one's bench. However, I'm unfamiliar with most of the exercises in Wendler's article, so I'll definitely need to give them a try.