Stubborn Biceps and Growth

[Frosty]

I would second the incline curls and the drag curls. I know a guy approached me at the gym asking me what I did for my forearms and also commented on the size of my arms (they're not that big, really...18.5" at the time....not that I measure!). I mentioned how I've put in many hours with reverse curls and rowing, but then I had to ask him what he did for his BICEPS. My arms might have been a lot bigger, but I was impressed with the development of his biceps brachii muscles. He does a lot of the drags and inclines. So we both learned something cool for arms

[Sistersteel]

Thanks guys for all your input. That was very helpful. I had never heard of drag curls but am going to check out the link you've provided me. I really like incline curls but they wreak HAVOC on my forearms. I need to minimize the tension I place on them or I will be unable to tie my shoes for a week. I can't even use any straight bars at all.

So at least I've learned that reverse curls serve a purpose. That's about the only semi pain free movement I can do so I will keep doing them.

[Frosty]

The forearm pain....I've heard Dave Palumbo briefly mention that sometimes it can come from weak forearms relative to your upper arm...not sure?

[Sistersteel]

The forearm pain....I've heard Dave Palumbo briefly mention that sometimes it can come from weak forearms relative to your upper arm...not sure?

I doubt its that. Its a bad case of tendinitis in both forearms and both wrists. I've had deep tissue work done, cortisone injections, 5 years worth of physical therapy and acupuncture on both arms. Nothing. Still miserably painful and a big obstacle for me in improving my arm development.

[Sistersteel]

Do you use lifting straps for all curling movements to minimize forearms interaction and pain? If not, you really should as it'll make a huge difference.

I have always used straps for all curling movements Big Mike. I am actually physically incapable of training arms without them. Just in a world of hurt.

[MRT]

Slow down the negative portion of the curls!!

[Sistersteel]

Good to hear. Also it'd be worth noting that on Back day if you do a few pulldown and a few rowing movements then consider adding reverse (chin style) pulldowns and using the same cambered bar (commonly used for tricep movements) do low pulley rows with an underhand grip. The secondary movers, that being the biceps, will get a nice load of work.

That is great! I actually started doing wide grip pulldowns and Front lat pulldowns today. So I will throw in some low pulley rows and see how that goes for a while. Thank you for helping me out

[Sistersteel]

Slow down the negative portion of the curls!!

I will give that a try too! Think that will help a problem that I've had for years though?

[buckimscl]

Sis, not sure if you can do incline curls without a lot of discomfort but there is more muscle fiber recruitment with that exercise than any other according to a study done @ Wright State University in Dayton, OH. I do them with my FST-7 training and there is no feeling like them.

[ironman0370]

Sis -

The only other thing I can think of for your forearm problems is to try those "FLEXSOLATE" straps. I picked up a pair at the Arnold a couple years ago. They're great for isolating the back by completely taking "grip" out of it, eliminating biceps and forearm work while doing so.

But, a DVD comes with it as well and shows how to use them for bicep work as well (with dumbbells). You can use them in such a way that, believe it or not, takes "grip" out of it. It's a little cumbersome at first, but definitely works if you want it to.

Granted, most people WANT extra/secondary bicep work when doing back, and WANT forearm work when they do bis and back, etc.

But in your case, they just might be very very useful. Look into them.

[tiramisu]

I've never been able to grow disproportionate arms even when I did curls. I gave them up for lent. The only consistent means of growing my arms has been to gain overall strength and weight.

[Sistersteel]

Sis, not sure if you can do incline curls without a lot of discomfort but there is more muscle fiber recruitment with that exercise than any other according to a study done @ Wright State University in Dayton, OH. I do them with my FST-7 training and there is no feeling like them.

bucki
incline curls is the one exercise that hurts me the worst, bar curls second.
I love that exercise. Wish I could do them though.

A doctor said that there must be some pressure being applied to a nerve and they needed to go in there and cut whatever tissue is applying pressure to the nerves.

Fuck that. Slice a tendon while they're at it then I am done for good.

[Sistersteel]

I've never been able to grow disproportionate arms even when I did curls. I gave them up for lent. The only consistent means of growing my arms has been to gain overall strength and weight.

I certainly don't want to be fat just to have big arms. I have 31" quads. I can live with no arms. lol

Who am I kidding I would love to have big beefy arms

[Sistersteel]

Ironman
Thanks for the suggestion. I will certainly look into that.

[robert da strongman]

I know these are the men's forums but I needed some input from the guys on this, with no offense to the ladies of course. I am having immense trouble with my biceps. I have a 17" arm cold but compared to the rest of me, that is quite pathetic. I also have very bad trouble with my arms and have dealt with pain in the forearms and the wrists for several years. The pain gets unbearable and I have to lay off the arm training for a while and so I have never been able to hit them hard enough, or long enough to see results.

I would like to take a look at some of the exercises that have benefitted some of you with similar issues. I am looking to improve on what I am currently doing and thought I would ask.

i stopped doing any bicep work and focused on my tris. did that to help my pressing but i added arm size.
when i do bicep work i use heavy weights. also cables...feel more tension in the bi's

i dealt with my forearm and wrist issues by training the forarems and working grip hard.