What exactly hurts after barbell curl?

[JerseyDevil]

If it's pain in the forearms, similar to shin splints, then it is tendonitis. This will only go away with rest. Been there, done that. If you haven't done too much damage, just a couple of weeks should suffice. Do DB curls instead. Once you go back to barbell curls, concentrate on lighter weight and ultra strict form. This will help strengthen the tendons and ligaments gradually, and you'll be doing heavy barbell curls again in no time.

 

[BritChick]

Michael... you're explanation is fine... for any of us who HAVE experienced this pain we know what you're on about.
I find that using the EZ curl bar eliminates this problem for the most part for me but my PT's had me switch to the straight bar as they felt it was preferable exercise. Honestly nothing has really helped me.. I am way stronger than I used to be but no matter how strong my arms get it still fricking kills my forearms and adjusting the grip doesn't really help either. It's a kind of sickening feeling and takes a while to disappear... do you find that it goes relatively quickly? This feeling never lasts too long for me... certainly not into the next day.

 

[liljojo4711]

when i use an ez curl bar, my wrists hurt like hell. will wrist wraps get rid of that, or am i doing something wrong? where do u get wrist wraps?

 

[BritChick]

liljojo... if it is you wrists that hurt you can certainly try using wrist wraps... any good sporting goods store should have them. I myself have tiny wrists (6") and therefore when I am curling over 40lb dumbells they shriek... when lifting heavy for curls I will use wrist wraps... I also am trying to strengthen my wrists with wrist curls.

back to the forearm pain... michael do you also find that your forearms get really really pumped tight when they hurt like that? mine swell and get really really hard, tighter than a regular muscle pump

 

[JoeR.]

Michael D, do you happen to play baseball? I know the exact feeling you are describing, I get it also; I get a double effect becasue I play baseball and when I throw I get the same pain. Yes people who dont know it is a pain not a soreness. I am trying to make it stop too, I currently try to make my movements as strict as possible and use a little less weight.

Only things I have tried that dont hurt, are the db curls. If you find something else that works your bis well, and doesnt hurt your forearm post it.

 

[Michael D]

Britchick, my forearms still hurt after a week already. Just picking heavy objects up reminds me. It is a lot better though. Also, I don't any kind of pump.

JoeR, I use to play baseball and was a pitcher but never had any problems. There are lots of other exercises that don't hurt. Incline db curls, hammer curls, and concentration curls are just 3 of the many.

And guys, I hope I don't sound like I am complaining. Just trying to determine if I actually damaged anything and should be worried.

Thanks everyone,

 

[firestorm]

Mike,, If the pain is like a dull ache or sharp pains it very well be tendon/ligament strain. Basically tendonitis as stated above. This pain usually occurs when the biceps get stronger faster then the ligaments and tendons. My advise is to stay either lighten up the load and let this heal or avoid that excercise totally for awhile. If dumbells and ez bar don't bother you then use those for a few weeks. I'd also suggest taking some Ibuprophen or some other form of anti inflamitory for awhile.

 

[BritChick]

Hey Michael, nah you don't sound like you are complaining... I can understand you wanting to figure out what the heck is going on and why... sounds bad that you still have pain from this exercise after a week! Honestly, if it is lasting this long I would skip this exercise and opt for another... it sounds like for you this particular exercise is more detrimental than beneficial and if it hurts that severly and for that long then it probably has to be affecting your other upper body workouts negatively. Good luck

 

[Michael D]

Yeah, I am working with alternate moves right now and it should be alright. I will keep you guys up to date.