I was wondering what the advantage is in doing barbell curls after doing dumbbell curls in Slow & Heavy? I know that it's better to do dumbbell curls because each arm is worked evenly because there's a tendency to maybe not use each arm to the fullest with a barbell. So, I usually just use dumbbells again when Cathe gets to the barbell segment. Anybody have any input?
Slow & Heavy bicep curls barbell vs. dumbbell
- Thread starter sophiem
- Start date
It works the muscles differently.
I find that I am pretty wiped with 3 sets of curls and hammer curls with my 15's. But I can keep going with a 30 pound barbell, then a 25 pound barbell at the end, whereas I could not keep producing solid reps continuing with dumbells.
The barbell also works the forearms more.
Clare
I find that I am pretty wiped with 3 sets of curls and hammer curls with my 15's. But I can keep going with a 30 pound barbell, then a 25 pound barbell at the end, whereas I could not keep producing solid reps continuing with dumbells.
The barbell also works the forearms more.
Clare
kathryn
Cathlete
I often prefer to use dumbbells over barbells: it doesn't allow the stronger side to take on more of the work than the weaker side; it works stabilzing muscles that using a barbell doesn't (and is therefore more functional); and it assures body symmetry.
I think Cathe uses the barbell just to work the muscle a bit differently, and to lift a heavier total weight than you could with dumbbells. It's just good to change things up once in a while and not do the same moves in the same way all the time.
I think Cathe uses the barbell just to work the muscle a bit differently, and to lift a heavier total weight than you could with dumbbells. It's just good to change things up once in a while and not do the same moves in the same way all the time.
Yeah, I'm trying to be very conscious of using my muscles equally and even doing more work on one side as it's not as developed as the other. So, I think until I feel like my left side has caught up with my right side development (if it ever does!) I will probably stick with dumbbells, even if I'm wiped and have to use a little less weight at the end.
I can curl greater overall weight with dumbbells than with the bar! Maybe the culprit is weak forearms.
So I do the best I can with the bar at a lower weight, and switch to dumbbells when I want to go heavier. Does anyone understand this, or have this problem too?
Thank you!
Paula
So I do the best I can with the bar at a lower weight, and switch to dumbbells when I want to go heavier. Does anyone understand this, or have this problem too?
Thank you!
Paula
kathryn
Cathlete
Does anyone
>understand this, or have this problem too?
>
Actually, that's pretty unusual, since one can normally lift more total weight when using a bar than when using dumbbells (because fewer stabilizing muscles have to work, and the strong side can do a bit more work). You might be finding an angle with dumbbells that allows you to lift heavier than the locked angle you have to use with a barbell. I wouldn't necessarily think of it as a "problem," though.
>understand this, or have this problem too?
>
Actually, that's pretty unusual, since one can normally lift more total weight when using a bar than when using dumbbells (because fewer stabilizing muscles have to work, and the strong side can do a bit more work). You might be finding an angle with dumbbells that allows you to lift heavier than the locked angle you have to use with a barbell. I wouldn't necessarily think of it as a "problem," though.
Kathryn,
I've often wondered if I do compensate in the way you described. I think I'm getting what I expect to get too, since I always dread the appearance of the bar in bicep work. It's not really a problem, as you said, so I suppose I should concentrate on doing reps with good form and just go with it.
Thanks for the perspective,
Paula
I've often wondered if I do compensate in the way you described. I think I'm getting what I expect to get too, since I always dread the appearance of the bar in bicep work. It's not really a problem, as you said, so I suppose I should concentrate on doing reps with good form and just go with it.
Thanks for the perspective,
Paula