Question on Bicep Curls

[Shelbygirl]

So I did LIC this morning. I really love the barbell bicep curls that incorporate the resitance band, but they cause me to have pain in my wrist/forearem. I was wondering if it would work well to use the bands, but with dumbbells, and in the hammer curl position (hammer curls cause me no pain). Do you think this would work?

My second question is this: Can I stop doing regular bicep curls without missing out on any benefits? What different benefits do you get from regular curls vs hammer curls?

Thanks,
Shelbygirl

 

[andtckrtoo]

I've actually done the bands with dumbbells - I rarely use my barbell for bicep curls as I have it too heavily loaded and it's one of the "screw tops" so it take forever to change weights. It works well in both standard and hammer curls.

Regular curls and hammer curls work the bicep in different ways and as Cathy drills into to us, variety is what challenges the muscles. I'd keep both in unless one really causes a lot of pain. Maybe lighten your weight a bit of the standard curls to keep from straining the wrists and forearms.

 

[kathryn]

You might be interested in the "EZ curl bar" thread in OD.
Barbell bicep curls can put strain on the elbow joint, and adding a band for more resistance would just aggravate the problem.

Either doing them with dumbbells or using an EZ curl bar may help.

I wouldn't completely replace regular bi curls with hammer curls (hammer curls work more of the forearm), but I think replacing bar curls with dumbell curls (which allow you to adjust your angle of hold to a more comfortable position, rather than being locked into one plane of motion) or a combo of dumbbell and EZ curl curls would be a very good idea. (you can find an EZ curl bar at Walmart and other stores).