 | This article contains instructions, advice, or how-to content .(April 2023) |
Bicep curls are a group of weight training exercises in which a person bends their arm towards their body at the elbow in order to make their biceps stronger.
| This article contains instructions, advice, or how-to content .(April 2023) |
Bicep curls are a group of weight training exercises in which a person bends their arm towards their body at the elbow in order to make their biceps stronger.
The bicep curl mainly targets the biceps brachii, brachialis and brachioradialis muscles. The biceps is stronger at elbow flexion when the forearm is supinated (palms turned upward) and weaker when the forearm is pronated. [1] The brachioradialis is at its most effective when the palms are facing inward, and the brachialis is unaffected by forearm rotation. Therefore, the degree of forearm rotation affects the degree of muscle recruitment between the three muscles.
Typically, a bicep curl begins with the arm fully extended with a supinated (palms facing up) grip on a weight. A full repetition consists of bending or "curling" the elbow until it is fully flexed, then slowly lowering the weight to the starting position. The torso should remain upright instead of swinging back and forth, as doing so transfers the load away from the biceps and onto other muscles, reducing the effectiveness of the exercise. The elbows are also usually kept stationary at the side of the torso, as allowing the elbows to move in front of the weight's center of gravity removes tension on the biceps before full contraction is achieved. [2]
To maximize the activation of biceps, conducting this exercise using the full range of motion is generally recommended. [3] But for advanced trainers, they can apply a different variation of range in order to acquire some particular emphasis muscle activation. Some may argue that the tension on muscle is most significant during the mid-range, practice bicep curl with a half range of motion to let muscle generate the most force. [4]
The research found that the preacher curl targets the long head of the biceps significantly only when the arm was almost fully extended, and the range of motion was short. On the other hand, the incline dumbbell curl and the regular bicep curl activated the biceps throughout the entire range of motion. They may be more effective in maximizing the biceps activation. [5]
There are several types of bicep curls that use varying equipment, forms, and volume. But the general idea is still to target the biceps activation. Below are some typical variations using common equipment that are prevalent among trainers.
Dumbbells isolate muscles and allow wider range of motion.
On the other hand, barbells stabilize the body and allow for heavier loading.
The choice between the two boils down to following key considerations:
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Injuries can occur due to incorrect form, careless mistakes, or "ego lifting". The most common injury caused by bicep curls is a tear of the biceps tendon. [20] There are two main causes of biceps tendon tears: excessive weight and overuse. Ego lifting is an attempt to lift weights that are heavier than the weightlifter's capability. [21] During ego lifting, the lifter's form will be twisted because the weight is too heavy, and if the weight is far beyond the lifter's strength, then there is a likelihood to suffer from biceps tears. [22]
Another injury caused by bicep curls is ulnar neuropathy, which lead to ulnar nerve conduction slowing at the elbow. This is caused by compression of the nerves against a weight bench during the exercise. [23] Though unlikely, bicep curl can cause a rupture of the pectoralis major muscle, which is a severe injury that occurs in the chest. [24]
The biceps or biceps brachii is a large muscle that lies on the front of the upper arm between the shoulder and the elbow. Both heads of the muscle arise on the scapula and join to form a single muscle belly which is attached to the upper forearm. While the long head of the biceps crosses both the shoulder and elbow joints, its main function is at the elbow where it flexes and supinates the forearm. Both these movements are used when opening a bottle with a corkscrew: first biceps screws in the cork (supination), then it pulls the cork out (flexion).
The bench press or chest press is a weight training exercise where a person presses a weight upwards while lying horizontally on a weight training bench. The bench press is a compound movement, with the primary muscles involved being the pectoralis major, the anterior deltoids, and the triceps brachii. Other muscles located in the back, legs and core are involved for stabilization. A barbell is generally used to hold the weight, but a pair of dumbbells can also be used.
A barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting and strongman, consisting of a long bar, usually with weights attached at each end.
A squat is a strength exercise in which the trainee lowers their hips from a standing position and then stands back up. During the descent, the hip and knee joints flex while the ankle joint dorsiflexes; conversely the hip and knee joints extend and the ankle joint plantarflexes when standing up. Squats also help the hip muscles.
The deadlift is a strength training exercise in which a weight-loaded barbell is lifted off the ground to the level of the hips, with the torso perpendicular to the floor, before being placed back on the ground. It is one of the three powerlifting movements along with the squat and bench press, as well as a quintessential lift in strongman. The all-time world record deadlift stands at 501 kg (1,105 lb), achieved by Iceland's Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.
Arm wrestling is a sport in which two participants, facing each other with their bent elbows placed on a flat surface and hands firmly gripped, each attempt to "pin" their opponent's hand by forcing it to the surface. In popular culture, arm wrestling is commonly interpreted as a display of physical dominance, symbolizing superior strength and toughness between two individuals.
The lying triceps extension, also known as skull crusher and French extension or French press, is a strength exercise used in many different forms of strength training. It is one of the most stimulating exercises to the entire triceps muscle group in the upper arm, and works the triceps from the elbow all the way to the latissimus dorsi. Due to its full use of the triceps muscle group, the lying triceps extensions are used by many as part of their training regimen.
In weight training, a kettlebell is a cast-iron or cast-steel ball with a handle attached to the top, resembling a cannonball with a handle. It is used to perform a range of exercises; primarily ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and mobility training. Kettlebells are the primary equipment used in the strength sport of kettlebell lifting.
The wrist curl is a weight training exercise for developing the wrist flexor muscles, the muscles in the front of the forearm. It is therefore an isolation exercise. Ideally, it should be done in combination with the "reverse wrist curl" which works out the muscles comprising the back of the forearms, to ensure equal development of the wrist flexor and wrist extensor muscles.
A bent-over row is a weight training exercise that targets a variety of back muscles depending on the form used. It is often used for both bodybuilding and powerlifting.
The pull-down exercise is a strength training exercise designed to develop the latissimus dorsi muscle. It performs the functions of downward rotation and depression of the scapulae combined with adduction and extension of the shoulder joint.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to exercise:
A fly or flye is a strength training exercise in which the hand and arm move through an arc while the elbow is kept at a constant angle. Flies are used to work the muscles of the upper body. Because these exercises use the arms as levers at their longest possible length, the amount of weight that can be moved is significantly less than equivalent press exercises for the same muscles . Due to this leverage, fly exercises of all types have a large potential to damage the shoulder joint and its associated ligaments and the tendons of the muscles connecting to it. They should be done with caution and their effects first tested while using very light weights; which are gradually incremented after more strength is gained.
The front raise exercise is used in weight training. It primarily works the anterior deltoid and the clavicular head of the pectoralis major through the use of arm abduction and flexion through the frontal plane. The training volume, or number of sets and repetitions performed, depends on the lifter's training program and goals.
The rear delt raise, also known as the rear deltoid raise, or rear shoulder raise is an exercise in weight training. This exercise is an isolation exercise that heavily works the posterior deltoid muscle. The movement is primarily limited to the two shoulder joints: the glenohumeral joint and the scapulothoracic joint. Scapular movement will also cause movement in the sternoclavicular joint and acromioclavicular joint. If the elbow bends during the extension exercises, it gravitates into a rowing motion.
A machine fly, alternatively called a seated lever fly or "pec deck" fly is a strength training exercise based on the free weight chest fly. As with the chest fly, the hand and arm move through an arc while the elbow is kept at a constant angle. Flyes are used to work the muscles of the upper body, primarily the sternal head of the pectoralis major. Because these exercises use the arms as levers at their longest possible length, the amount of weight that can be moved is significantly less than equivalent press exercises for the same muscles. Denie Walter is credited with calling it the Peck Dec back in the 1970s.
The pullover is an exercise that is performed with either a dumbbell or a barbell. Pullovers can be made to affect either the chest or the back depending on how wide the grip is (barbell) and the position of the shoulders. A research done on the pullover movement using a barbell suggested more effect on the pectoralis major muscle as compared to the latissimus dorsi.
Yergason's test is a special test used for orthopedic examination of the shoulder and upper arm region, specifically the biceps tendon.
A biceps tendon rupture or bicep tear is a complete or partial rupture of a tendon of the biceps brachii muscle. It can affect any of the three biceps brachii tendons - the proximal tendon of the short head of the muscle belly, the proximal tendon of the long head of the muscle belly, or the distal tendon. The characteristic finding of a biceps tendon rupture is the Popeye sign. Patients often report an audible pop at the time of injury as well as pain, bruising, and swelling. Provocative physical exam maneuvers to assess for a rupture include Ludington's test, Hook test, and the Ruland biceps squeeze test. Treatment and prognosis are highly dependent on the site of the injury described in further detail below.