PeteyPablo7

Are alternating dumbbell curls easier or harder than Barbell curls? I've been thinking of scratching alternating curls for barbell curls, but when warming up or practicing on barbell curls my wrist hurts a lot more. Also I'm not sure what the weight transfer should be seeing as I think barbell curls are easier but aren't sure. So my question is; if I were to say I can do 35 pounds, 3 sets, with 8 reps with in 4 minutes and 45 seconds with rest included, what weight do you recommend me to use for barbell curls if I'm aiming for 3 sets and 6 reps? Thanks a lot! Oh and how do I improve my wrist strength? Only barbell curls have exposed (Mostly my left, or just a little more for some reason) pain in my wrists. When I practiced shortly I can see for certain the weight wasn't the problem. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.



*Note* I haven't done any sets with barbell curls yet, just a few curls with some random weight.

Malley

My wrists bother me whenever I do BB curls as well. But stretch them out well and it isnt as bad. Also try an EZ Curl bar.

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kinkery

when i do barbell curlsi get a pian in my right wrist and after a painful set(meaning the wrist is pain) i like twist it and it pops then its ok.

slip

I have pain even while using EZ bar now in my forearm and wrist. Went to physio, super tight wrist flexors, have to stretch them out heaps.

Try stretching guys.

Crupiea

I used to have that wrist pain so I stopped using the straight bar. I used dumbells and the ez bar. I got sick of those and went back to the straight bar. Maybe I am stronger now because it doesnt hurt anymore and I do alot more weight. Just keep at them and switch it up. Maybe it's weird but I almost like the pain now.

Witchblade

Why the **** would you do an exercise (a lousy isolation exercise even!) if it caused you pain?

Go with an EZ bar or dumbells or skip it altogether.

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PeteyPablo7

EZ bar is the one with curves? I have that one and it still hurts. The weight isn't really the problem since I've realized it is much easier to do more weight with Barbell curls. When I take a wider grip it really isn't too bad, but when I do shoulder-wide grip it is unbearable. What's the best way to improve strength in my wrist? I want my wrist to be more durable.

Mystik

Do some chinups, or use cable machine. Get a small rope and tie it to weight and do some wrist rollers, I've heard that works good.

BoneCrusher

Welcome to IM PeteyPablo7. The only solution for you is time. If your wrists hurt back the weight down and changes things up a little till you get your wrists caught up with the rest of your muscle group used in that range of motion. Nothing is painless in weight training. Your wrists will stop aching, then your lower back will get sore ... or your left shoulder.

Are you stretching your arms properly before you lift? Gotta stretch ... you will know true pain if you don't stretch. What about diet?

DB's are great, so are BB's ... both a useful tool. I had issues with my left side not being as developed as my right. DB's helped fixed that.

PeteyPablo7

Guess I'm gonna lower the weight and help my wrist get stronger over time. My diet consist of a lot of protein. Mostly healthy foods. Tuna, meat, eggs, oatmeal, etc. I drink a lot of water as well.

Malley

Hell like was previously stated do DB curls. If I do em, thats what I do.

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vortrit

I actually have the same problem. My left wrist hurts like mad when I use any kind of bar, but I also have some obvious muscle imbalance in my forearms I need to work on. It's actually my forearm that hurts, not the wrist.

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Maranatha

I was a big fan of the barbell when I first sarted, but I noticed one side started growing faster than the other, with dumb bells each arm most work the same, its easier not to cheat with dumb bells as well