Author Topic: Strait bar curls and elbow problems. (Read 2192 times)

lilbg · « **on:** February 01, 2007, 06:08:13 AM »

Something ive always had problems with is strait bar curls and it bothering my elbows. Im starting to think my grip might be to close together thats causing this. Anyone else run into this? Im trying to add the most mass right now that I can to my biceps and I really dont want to take strait barbell curls out of my routine. Thanks for any input.

Rimbaud · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2007, 06:28:04 AM »

How about doing just plain old dumbbell curls instead?

jpm101 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2007, 08:10:34 AM »

Might try a EZ bar, rather than a straight bar. The hand position on a straight bar can affect the wrist, elbows and forearms in a negative way for some people. If you switch to an EZ bar, than consider the three grip positions for a biceps workout. First position, wide grip. Second position, middle grip. Third position, close grip with the elbows firmly planted against the ab's (great pump and cramp for the biceps). Two set's of each grip, 6-10 reps.

Or as Rimbaus suggest (if any kind of bar doesn't agree with you), try the many variety's of DB curls. Good Luck.

pumpster · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2007, 08:10:55 AM »

Straight bar injuries aren't uncommon. Try to work around it instead of using an E-Z curl bar, which doesn't work the bis nearly as well. Try different grip widths, keep rests between sets to 1 minute at most to keep the muscles warm, keep the reps moderate 8-12, try dumbbells, try cable curls instead. Cables are widely under-rated, are great size builders as good or better than barbells, and won't hurt the joints as much.

Another thing that might help is to work another related muscle first, to warm up the area better-tris first, or lats, etc.

lilbg · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:47:27 AM »

I will play with the grip.. Ive used the EZ bar in the past with no problems but always thought I could care more out of the strait bar if I could get through it for a few months without joint pain. I work my back and bi the same day and I work my back first befor bi so they are plenty warm. Im going to play with the width of the grip and see what happens. All else fails ill go back to EZ bar and Dbs.

Jr. Yates · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:51:50 AM »

I have a bad elbow and straight bar curls don't bother me, i use a fairly wide grip, i was always grabbing it really narrow but since i went wider i've noticed they hit my biceps much better.

Bobby · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2007, 11:04:30 AM »

I had this problem too, but the pain was in my forarms. I'm guessing you're using the pre-weighted barbells, these bars are so small. Try using the "benchpress" barbells, they're much thicker. My problems went completely away when i switched.

slaveboy1980 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2007, 04:28:37 PM »

yes straight bar wide grip barbell curls is the best biceps exercise..but i have had elbow problems due to the exercise so i have to cycle it. ez bar curls is a shit exercise...better to do db curls instead if elbows are bothering you..

pumpster · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2007, 05:00:14 PM »

Quote from: slaveboy1980 on February 01, 2007, 04:28:37 PM

yes straight bar wide grip barbell curls is the best biceps exercise..but i have had elbow problems due to the exercise so i have to cycle it. ez bar curls is a shit exercise...better to do db curls instead if elbows are bothering you..

Standard curls can be replaced by preacher curls or cable curls. They're both at least as good as standard curls and can be easier on the joints.

Cap · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2007, 05:11:56 PM »

Quote from: pumpster on February 01, 2007, 05:00:14 PM

Standard curls can be replaced by preacher curls or cable curls. They're both at least as good as standard curls and can be easier on the joints.

Yea, I always do preachers first now to pre-exhaust for BB curls otherwise I don't get as good as a pump. Preachers seem to work better for me and my long arms.

slaveboy1980 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2007, 04:36:18 AM »

Quote from: pumpster on February 01, 2007, 05:00:14 PM

Standard curls can be replaced by preacher curls or cable curls. They're both at least as good as standard curls and can be easier on the joints.

yes preacher curls is a good exercise, specially with a thin straight bar...

lilbg · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2007, 12:02:30 PM »

I had thought about using an arm blaster to see if it takes some tension off the eblows.. my next bicep workout isnt till tuesday so ill try the wider grip first. I am using the olympic barbell same as I use for benching. Ive always had weak biceps as far back as I could remember and I think thats whats keeping my arms from growing. Best ive been able to hit is 15 3/4" which isnt very big but me being 5'4" doesnt look to bad on my frame. My goal has always been 17" arms but Im not sure ill ever get there if I cant get these damn strait bar curls going good. Thanks for all the info.

pumpster · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2007, 01:02:44 PM »

Quote from: lilbg on February 02, 2007, 12:02:30 PM

I had thought about using an arm blaster to see if it takes some tension off the eblows.. my next bicep workout isnt till tuesday so ill try the wider grip first. I am using the olympic barbell same as I use for benching. Ive always had weak biceps as far back as I could remember and I think thats whats keeping my arms from growing. Best ive been able to hit is 15 3/4" which isnt very big but me being 5'4" doesnt look to bad on my frame. My goal has always been 17" arms but Im not sure ill ever get there if I cant get these damn strait bar curls going good. Thanks for all the info.

The arm blaster makes curls better. A bar that is shorter than the olympic bar might help take pressure off the joints, and is easier to control.

mesmorph78 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2007, 04:48:33 PM »

straight bar curls are the best for bicep size...

Cap · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2007, 05:05:56 PM »

Quote from: mesmorph78 on February 02, 2007, 04:48:33 PM

straight bar curls are the best for bicep size...

You ever heard of Larry Scott or Mike Matarzzo?

mesmorph78 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2007, 12:40:13 PM »

Quote from: cap86 on February 02, 2007, 05:05:56 PM

You ever heard of Larry Scott or Mike Matarzzo?

i meant
straight bar curls has given me the best gains size wise
old pic

jpm101 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2007, 12:57:50 PM »

If you don't have an Arm Blaster than just lean, straight up, against a wall, elbows firmly planted and close to the sides, and curl that way.

Never seen too much different between a straight or EZ bar, with regards to muscle development. Can't really say one is better than another. More like an individual choice. An EZ bar pretty much will mimic the angle a DB would have (thumbs higher than the little finger) when curling. A lot of guy's I've seen prefer an EZ bar when doing Preacher/Scott curls. Whatever works best for you, I guess. Good Luck.

PS: Nice shot of MS78. Really have to jam the end of that bench up and into the chest, for best results.

mesmorph78 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2007, 01:01:38 PM »

thx man.. i was just retunin the bar when that shot was taken
another

pumpster · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2007, 08:16:43 PM »

Not many BBs with great arms have relied on an E-Z curl barbell, except for triceps or forearms.

Because of wrist rotation and hand supination, dumbbell curls are not quite the same as E-Z curls.

jpm101 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2007, 08:29:33 AM »

Actually, to take full advantage of the hand/wrist/forearm/bicep function, most DB curls should start with a hammer grip at the bottom. And a thumbs turned inward at the top/finished position. The majority of men (I've witnessed) who DB curl (correctly or not) keep the relative same position throughout the lift. The basic design of the EZ bar can mimic that DB hand position, with less stress on the wrist/elbows, than a straight bar might do.

I've never surveyed BB'ers with great arms, so I don't know how many prefer a straight bar over a EZ bar. So it would be presumptuous of me to say, either way, that one bar is superior over another. But I've seen some very large men use either or both in their workouts.Which feels right and give less stress to the wrist/forearms and elbows, should be the one anyone would use. Good Luck.

pumpster · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2007, 08:38:04 AM »

Most top guys do not use E-Z curl for BB curls. If they use it for curls, it's with a closer grip where the bar's almost straight, for preacher, cable or isolation curls.

Cap · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2007, 08:43:00 AM »

I agree with that Pump. For standing curls I don't feel EZ curl bars in my biceps much but with a close grip I do.