When doing barbell curls is form important?

BradCKY · 11-14-2003, 06:44 AM

Well see I kept upping the weight on my dumbbell curls (I've just been for a month) anyway I started going to 30 on each on arm but I had to lean back and I had no form, plus I wasn't feeling that same effect on my muscles the next day.

So the other day I went back down to 25 and not only could I go alot father, but I felt the DOMS finally.

So my question is, is it better to go with the highest weight you can as long you can keep form?

Burner02 · 11-14-2003, 06:49 AM

hey bud-
yeah...if you cannot properly handle a weight, you are not doing yourself any good.
Keep the weight where you can do it correctly, with out swinging it, cheating it. Later on, when you understand what a correct 'cheat' is, you an do that, but if you are new, stay with correct form and do it correctly

perfecto · 11-14-2003, 07:04 AM

wat exactly is a correct cheat?

nikegurl · 11-14-2003, 09:57 AM

i would honestly say that form is always extrememly important. sounds simplistic but it's true. it sounds like you felt it for yourself when you lowered the weight and cleaned up your form.

HoldDaMayo · 11-14-2003, 10:04 AM

weight is for ego...

form is for results..

Burner02 · 11-14-2003, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by perfecto
wat exactly is a correct cheat?

maybe not the best way of wording it.
We are talking about curls here.
Say if the last couple reps of your set.(that you have been doing correctly) you can use a little swing to help get the weight up. Or, also on the last couple reps..you swing the weight up and do negatives on the way down....

But in general, you do not want to cheat...make sense?

buffed · 11-14-2003, 10:54 AM

Very important!!!
If you wanna use really heavy weights and cheat, cheat only for the last one or two reps. Thats alright, but for the rest of the reps, PROPER FORM is very important. Leave your ego at home, dont bring it to the gym.

BradCKY · 11-14-2003, 11:28 AM

Also I am wondering if you had this problem when you started out. When left arm is MUCH weaker than my right arm, and I am now sticking to between 15-20.

Since I don't have a dumbbell here (I use the little apartment gym downstairs) Should I keep doing 25 on my right arm without trying go any further, until I build my left arm to even strength?

Burner02 · 11-14-2003, 11:40 AM

do you have bar bells?
Distribute the weight evenly?
I would use the same weights that you can use for both arms...

BradCKY · 11-14-2003, 11:41 AM

Well I'm kinda new at this, I think a barbell is for one arm correct?? if so thats what I'm using, though I plan on subscribing to a full gym soon.

Burner02 · 11-14-2003, 11:44 AM

you have it backwards:
Barbell = both hands [-----------------------]
Dumb bell: = Single Hand: [--]

Like the art?

Might I also suggest hiring a personal trainer for a few weeks to show you how to use the weights, set up a program, etc?

BradCKY · 11-14-2003, 11:49 AM

yea I need a trainer I guess, cause although I built some muscle I really don't know how to keep going the right way (which is why I searched for this site) lol.

Burner02 · 11-14-2003, 11:52 AM

You mentioned that you are going to start up at a gym? When you sign up, most will show you around and let you go with a trainer to get familiar with the equipment. There are some very knowlegable people gere that can help you out, but you also need to know proper form, techniques, etc...

**Prince** · 11-14-2003, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BradCKY
So my question is, is it better to go with the highest weight you can as long you can keep form?

Yes, use the heaviest weight (4-12 rep range) and maintain form.

Form is always your number one priority, sure a little cheat rep here and there is okay at the end of a set, but never compromise form for heavier weights, that leads to injury.

vanity · 11-14-2003, 01:14 PM

Without good form you're nothing.

11-14-2003, 06:44 AM	#1
BradCKY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6	When doing curls is form important? Well see I kept upping the weight on my dumbbell curls (I've just been for a month) anyway I started going to 30 on each on arm but I had to lean back and I had no form, plus I wasn't feeling that same effect on my muscles the next day. So the other day I went back down to 25 and not only could I go alot father, but I felt the DOMS finally. So my question is, is it better to go with the highest weight you can as long you can keep form? Last edited by BradCKY : 11-14-2003 at 12:10 PM.

11-14-2003, 06:49 AM	#2
Burner02 Super Hero in Training Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tip of the spear! Posts: 28,308	hey bud- yeah...if you cannot properly handle a weight, you are not doing yourself any good. Keep the weight where you can do it correctly, with out swinging it, cheating it. Later on, when you understand what a correct 'cheat' is, you an do that, but if you are new, stay with correct form and do it correctly
	Success leaves clues. People who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem THERE IS NO TOMORROW! - Appollo Creed

11-14-2003, 07:04 AM	#3
perfecto dirty but nice Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: land down under your mum Posts: 390 Photos: 5	wat exactly is a correct cheat?
	"a scientist who works out, your like Indiana Jones"..."I AM LIKE INDIANA JONES" "dont hate me cause im beautiful baby, hate me cause your mother thinks so"

11-14-2003, 09:57 AM	#4
nikegurl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: LA, CA Posts: 5,635	i would honestly say that form is always extrememly important. sounds simplistic but it's true. it sounds like you felt it for yourself when you lowered the weight and cleaned up your form.
	If you want to achieve things that others can't... You have to do things that others won't.

11-14-2003, 10:04 AM	#5
HoldDaMayo Just call me Mayo Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 1,917 Photos: 4	weight is for ego... form is for results..
	Are you kidding me????

11-14-2003, 10:54 AM	#7
buffed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson Posts: 133	Very important!!! If you wanna use really heavy weights and cheat, cheat only for the last one or two reps. Thats alright, but for the rest of the reps, PROPER FORM is very important. Leave your ego at home, dont bring it to the gym.

11-14-2003, 11:28 AM	#8
BradCKY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6	Also I am wondering if you had this problem when you started out. When left arm is MUCH weaker than my right arm, and I am now sticking to between 15-20. Since I don't have a dumbbell here (I use the little apartment gym downstairs) Should I keep doing 25 on my right arm without trying go any further, until I build my left arm to even strength?

11-14-2003, 11:40 AM	#9
Burner02 Super Hero in Training Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tip of the spear! Posts: 28,308	do you have bar bells? Distribute the weight evenly? I would use the same weights that you can use for both arms...
	Success leaves clues. People who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem THERE IS NO TOMORROW! - Appollo Creed

11-14-2003, 11:41 AM	#10
BradCKY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6	Well I'm kinda new at this, I think a barbell is for one arm correct?? if so thats what I'm using, though I plan on subscribing to a full gym soon.

11-14-2003, 11:44 AM	#11
Burner02 Super Hero in Training Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tip of the spear! Posts: 28,308	you have it backwards: Barbell = both hands [-----------------------] Dumb bell: = Single Hand: [--] Like the art? Might I also suggest hiring a personal trainer for a few weeks to show you how to use the weights, set up a program, etc?
	Success leaves clues. People who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem THERE IS NO TOMORROW! - Appollo Creed

11-14-2003, 11:49 AM	#12
BradCKY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6	yea I need a trainer I guess, cause although I built some muscle I really don't know how to keep going the right way (which is why I searched for this site) lol.

11-14-2003, 11:52 AM	#13
Burner02 Super Hero in Training Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tip of the spear! Posts: 28,308	You mentioned that you are going to start up at a gym? When you sign up, most will show you around and let you go with a trainer to get familiar with the equipment. There are some very knowlegable people gere that can help you out, but you also need to know proper form, techniques, etc...
	Success leaves clues. People who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem THERE IS NO TOMORROW! - Appollo Creed

11-14-2003, 01:14 PM	#15
vanity Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,218 Photos: 1	Without good form you're nothing.

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