Thread: Barbell curls

cg will prolly work outer bi's and wg will prolly work inner....some...wait for p-funk's or cowpimps reply

I almost prefer barbell curls at times for biceps. I find if you take a semi-wide grip and tuck your elbows in, you can isolate it well, and really get a good pump.

A close grip will simply recruit the outer bicep head to a greater degree and vice versa.

That, and I feel a closer grip puts more strain on your wrist. Just my .02 worth.

Originally Posted by gopro

A close grip will simply recruit the outer bicep head to a greater degree and vice versa.

Is it true that by doing different angles of bicep curl works the different parts of the bicep?

I ask this because I posted a thread the other day regarding declined bench press and a lot of people said it doesnt matter what angle you, it hits the chest regardless.

Originally Posted by mrmark

Is it true that by doing different angles of bicep curl works the different parts of the bicep?

I ask this because I posted a thread the other day regarding declined bench press and a lot of people said it doesnt matter what angle you, it hits the chest regardless.

Barbell curls hits the entire muscle regardless, but where you take your grip will force a different recruitment pattern as well as one head of the muscle to be more strongly affected.

The same goes for decline press vs incline press...the entire chest is hit, but more emphasis can be placed on the upper or lower chest.

When you do lat pulldowns, a wide overhand grip will recruit the back musculature differently than a close or underhand grip.

Yes, body positioning, angle of push/pull, and grip will affect the muscles differently.

There are those on here that will argue, which is their right, but after almost 20 years in this game, and training probably about 1000 people, I am sure of my "theory."

When you take a closer grip on the bar, generally your shoulders are extended further back giving the long head of your bicep a greater stretch and shifting some of the emphasis that way. Incline DB curls are a great way to achieve a similar thing.

With a wider grip you naturally tend to flex your shoulders up, which causes additional slack in the long head of the bicep and screws up the length-tension relationship. Therefore, the short head gets a little additional emphasis. Preacher curls are a great way to achieve this result.

Originally Posted by CowPimp

When you take a closer grip on the bar, generally your shoulders are extended further back giving the long head of your bicep a greater stretch and shifting some of the emphasis that way. Incline DB curls are a great way to achieve a similar thing.

With a wider grip you naturally tend to flex your shoulders up, which causes additional slack in the long head of the bicep and screws up the length-tension relationship. Therefore, the short head gets a little additional emphasis. Preacher curls are a great way to achieve this result.

Good post.

Originally Posted by gopro

The same goes for decline press vs incline press...the entire chest is hit, but more emphasis can be placed on the upper or lower chest.

** GASP **

Did you just say you can isolate your upper pecs?!?!?


BLASPHEMER! Where's The Chicken Daddy when you need him?

Originally Posted by ALBOB

** GASP **

Did you just say you can isolate your upper pecs?!?!?


BLASPHEMER! Where's The Chicken Daddy when you need him?

Not isolate my friend...emphasize!

Now stop trying to start trouble and go to your room and behave!