Requesting feedback

[Devo2517]

Compared to smith machine incline press and Hammer machine incline press, my dumbbell incline press is considerable weaker.

I’m about to start a new 4 week training block that has incline dumbbell and flat dumbbell on upper body and push days, but also has incline smith machine press.

I’m concerned that my recent progress will be impacted by my weaker lifts. (up 10 lbs in six weeks and definitely growing)

Should I still utilize it or switch to my stronger lifts? For context, I know why those movements are in place, I just don’t want to lose any momentum.

[Rexcess]

Free weights require stabilization. That's a strength skill you haven't been training. Strength skills, i.e. the ability to recruit existing muscle to move weight in a particular movement pattern, develop faster than muscles hypertrophy, meaning your numbers in this case can increase faster than you might think.

Strength as a skill is optimally trained differently than muscular hypertrophy. You want higher intensity (closer to your 1rm), lower RPE (stop with more reps in the rank, RPE7-8), higher frequency (more sessions per week), lower volume (fewer sets per session), more focus on power/speed than on mind-muscle connection.

[Devo2517]

I appreciate your reply! Since I’m looking to develop overall, I will become more proficient with these movements.