Even though guys lifted the same total weight, those using barbells felt way more sore in their triceps for longer than those using dumbbells—suggesting barbells might be harder on the back of the arm.

No matter which type of chest press you do—machine, barbell, or dumbbells—you’ll feel about the same level of soreness in your chest muscles after a hard workout, and it’ll go away at the same rate.

After a tough chest workout, guys using barbells or machines feel sore in their triceps for a few days, but those using dumbbells don’t feel any soreness at all—even though they lifted the same total weight.

After doing barbell chest presses, guys felt less ready to train again—even two days later—than after using dumbbells or a machine, meaning they needed an extra day to feel recovered.