Curls

[honesty]

So, curls. I see many different curls in the gym, and its got me wondering, why all the differences? What's the benefit of doing preacher curls followed by dumbbell curls, followed by hammer curls?

I know we don't like curls on this forum, but I am sort of interested why BBers do so many different types (Ok, its coming up to summer, and I thought I'd do a bit of extra work on my beach muscles! )

Interestingly I also read on TNation (so however you want to take that...) that isolated strength exercises can be useful for a subset of athletes, and specifically mentions curls for judo/martial arts. So, how useful do you feel 5x5 preacher curls (For example) would be to your average judoka?

[paul]

bodybuilders think all the different kinds hit different parts of the bicep. it's just all variations just like there are different variations of rows. and don't do 5x5 preacher curls do something like 3-5 sets of 10 of regular EZ bar curls or bb curls. then do some hammer curls if u want

[sik0fewl]

Paul pretty much said it all. All the variations are supposed to target different parts of the biceps, but all the variations aren't necessary unless you're actually doing body building.

If you want to do curls for vanity reasons, then do something like paul suggested--barbell and/or EZ bar curls.

Barbell curls will primarily target your biceps, which are the big muscles, so this is the important exercise.

Hammer curls primarily target your brachioradialis and preacher curls primarily target the brachialis. These still get worked with BB curls, they just aren't the primary target. EZ bar curls are going to put more emphasis on brachioradialis than regular BB curl.

[LiftingNerd]

Interestingly I also read on TNation (so however you want to take that...) that isolated strength exercises can be useful for a subset of athletes, and specifically mentions curls for judo/martial arts. So, how useful do you feel 5x5 preacher curls (For example) would be to your average judoka?

I wonder which subset of athletes they are referring to, perhaps bowlers. If you are going to do curls do a few sets of barbell curls and be done with it.

[thunderdownunder]

Interestingly I also read on TNation (so however you want to take that...) that isolated strength exercises can be useful for a subset of athletes, and specifically mentions curls for judo/martial arts. So, how useful do you feel 5x5 preacher curls (For example) would be to your average judoka?

I wonder which subset of athletes they are referring to, perhaps bowlers. If you are going to do curls do a few sets of barbell curls and be done with it.

Probably helps with beer drinking too....I dunno Im a teetotaller....

[LiftingNerd]

Good point. Curls would sure make hammerin down those forties a lot easier.

[rbtrout]

Heck yes. I do hammer curls so hammering down beer is much easier! Just kidding.
A few sets of curls won't hurt, but remember that the tricep is 2/3 of the upper arm. Don't neglect it.

We're not against curls, per se, it's the fact that many guys train chest and bis and neglect the rest of the body. Biceps are a very small muscle, comparitivly speaking, so why train it so hard and long and neglect your legs of back?

[MikeD]

Weighted chin ups have made my biceps look better than curls ever did.

[Bramasole]

I try to work in some standing dumbell curls every few workouts.
Try to keep very strict form, no cheating, leaning, using momentum etc.
I go as heavy as I can and do a 3x6 workout. As soon as I can finish 3x6 I go up 5 lbs.

Started with 35's in February and next workout I am already moving up to 55's.

As with the posts above, I think for strength training just go heavy and keep it simple.
The arms will still show good results with SL5x5 and one good bicep set.

[Portillo]

I gave up on barbell curls.

[Rugger]

I think the backlash against people whose routine consists mostly of curls is far too strong. I've heard from a couple powerlifters that training elbow flexion is important for stability and keeping "in the groove" on the bench press. Defranco uses curls a lot in WS4SB, and Poliquin specifically mentioned rugby players as athletes that need strong biceps to maintain possession of the ball, so I do them.

[LiftingNerd]

Funny you mention that as a powerlifter who is helping me with my training told me to do at least six sets of curls a week for elbow health.

[namaste]

from a BJJ/wrestling point of view, weight towel chinups work the behind the neck /collar grab position/posture breaking in guard far better than curls, and also improve grip.

[icenine]

Weighted chin ups have made my biceps look better than curls ever did.

I'm with MikeD on this one. My arms never grew that much until when I started doing squats 3 times a week and chins/pullups (not lat pulldowns, just my belly and the chinup bar on my power rack)

[Jim Slade]

I curl to keep up some strength in the bicep/brachii and associated tendons, rather than to get "big guns" as I know a couple of people who've torn this area deadlifting and one from tyre flipping.

To answer your question though BBers are convinced that you can "hit" muscles from different angles to incourage specific changes in shape so barbell curls for mass, concentration curls for peak etc...
The reason I think this is wrong is simple, look at a picture of Reg Park's upper arm and look at a picture of a modern BBer's upper arm, they're about the same but Park hardly trained them compared to a modern routine. I think your muscle shape is genetic and that's that, size is a different matter.
I could be completely wrong though!
I've got 19" arms and I do 100 reps of preachers once a fortnight (when I remember).