What training are you doing/have you done today? Vol.2
Discussion
chris watton said:
Today, not so good - I seem to have hurt a tendon in my bicep at the inner elbow, and that adversely affected my training:
Ha! Same here a few days ago. Let me guess. You were using an EZ curl bar on the preacher bench and your arms were nearly straight when it twanged?!
Well, that's what happened to me, not so much a twang as a strain.
As Hoofy would say, we should stop doing biceps!
Digger said:
chris watton said:
Today, not so good - I seem to have hurt a tendon in my bicep at the inner elbow, and that adversely affected my training:
Ha! Same here a few days ago. Let me guess. You were using an EZ curl bar on the preacher bench and your arms were nearly straight when it twanged?!
Well, that's what happened to me, not so much a twang as a strain.
As Hoofy would say, we should stop doing biceps!
Yep, EZ curl bar, preacher bench and 7 reps with 50kg - What an idiot!
I shall have to massively de-load for the curls tomorrow, I think, otherwise I fear my arm may come off!
chris watton said:
Digger said:
chris watton said:
Today, not so good - I seem to have hurt a tendon in my bicep at the inner elbow, and that adversely affected my training:
Ha! Same here a few days ago. Let me guess. You were using an EZ curl bar on the preacher bench and your arms were nearly straight when it twanged?!
Well, that's what happened to me, not so much a twang as a strain.
As Hoofy would say, we should stop doing biceps!
Yep, EZ curl bar, preacher bench and 7 reps with 50kg - What an idiot!
I shall have to massively de-load for the curls tomorrow, I think, otherwise I fear my arm may come off!
Digger said:
Seriously, give the arms a rest for a few days. They'll benefit greatly and you really don't want to risk aggravating a 'strain' of any sort!
I think you're right - even having trouble picking our sausage dogs up (again!)It's hard not to, though, as I started in may and haven't skimped on a single workout - but I guess giving curls a miss is a must....
chris watton said:
Today, not so good - I seem to have hurt a tendon in my bicep at the inner elbow, and that adversely affected my training:
Bench press x 6 sets, starting at 80kg x 12 reps, 85kg x 12 reps, 90kg x 7 reps, 95kg x 4 reps - left arm preventing me from doing more or going heavier, so last set back to 80kg and 8 reps.
Dumbbell Fly's x 4 sets, starting at 25kg per dumbbell, usually do 12-14 no problem, just managed 8 before arm started hurting too much. Dropped 2.5kg off each and managed another three sets of 12-16 reps.
Lat pull downs (seated), 4 sets of 12 reps with 45kg (Lighter than normal as left elbow area still very sore)
Lat pull downs (lying), 4 sets of 12 reps with 45kg
Cable seated row, 4 sets of 12 reps using 60-65kg (Didn't hurt arm at all!)
I think I went too far with the curls on Tuesday, and am now paying the price....
I do curls just for vanity purposes (already doing chin ups, pull downs etc) but also in the hope that it'll protect them in future on heavy deadlifts.Bench press x 6 sets, starting at 80kg x 12 reps, 85kg x 12 reps, 90kg x 7 reps, 95kg x 4 reps - left arm preventing me from doing more or going heavier, so last set back to 80kg and 8 reps.
Dumbbell Fly's x 4 sets, starting at 25kg per dumbbell, usually do 12-14 no problem, just managed 8 before arm started hurting too much. Dropped 2.5kg off each and managed another three sets of 12-16 reps.
Lat pull downs (seated), 4 sets of 12 reps with 45kg (Lighter than normal as left elbow area still very sore)
Lat pull downs (lying), 4 sets of 12 reps with 45kg
Cable seated row, 4 sets of 12 reps using 60-65kg (Didn't hurt arm at all!)
I think I went too far with the curls on Tuesday, and am now paying the price....
The next day it's ALWAYS the tendon at the elbow that hurts rather than the bicep. I've noticed if I don't fully extend it helps but I'm not sure if that will negatively effect the use of the exercise.
Art0ir said:
I do curls just for vanity purposes (already doing chin ups, pull downs etc) but also in the hope that it'll protect them in future on heavy deadlifts.
The next day it's ALWAYS the tendon at the elbow that hurts rather than the bicep. I've noticed if I don't fully extend it helps but I'm not sure if that will negatively effect the use of the exercise.
I always thought of curls as an integral part of arm and shoulder routines!The next day it's ALWAYS the tendon at the elbow that hurts rather than the bicep. I've noticed if I don't fully extend it helps but I'm not sure if that will negatively effect the use of the exercise.
Woke up this morning with the tendon still throbbing (and still couldn't pick the dog up comfortably to carry them down the stairs...) - I don't think I should do anything involving arms today, may do legs again instead.
I was going to start deadlifts (never done these before) on Wednesday, after the leg-only exercises, but I wanted to give my arm a rest - still hurts, though.
TheJimi said:
In my opinion, curls should be thought of as either a vanity exercise or for rehab work.
Heavy curls are, imo, not much more than a willy waving exercise.
Could it not be argued that, by definition, weight training/bodybuilding, if done for personal pleasure is a vanity exercise?Heavy curls are, imo, not much more than a willy waving exercise.
chris watton said:
TheJimi said:
In my opinion, curls should be thought of as either a vanity exercise or for rehab work.
Heavy curls are, imo, not much more than a willy waving exercise.
Could it not be argued that, by definition, weight training/bodybuilding, if done for personal pleasure is a vanity exercise?Heavy curls are, imo, not much more than a willy waving exercise.
Not weight training per-se.
If your training is functional / strength / sport based, then the aesthetics are a happy secondary bonus, whereas with bodybuilding, aesthetics are the primary aim.
So going back to my original point, curls = vanity / rehab. Heavy curls = willy waving.
Even if your aim is aesthetics, that has got more to do with time under tension than it has with actual weight being shifted. If your aim is strength, then there are FAR more effective exercises than heavy curls.
Again just my opinion, but in most instances heavy curls are a bit pointless.
Edited by TheJimi on Friday 5th December 10:13
TheJimi said:
Even if your aim is aesthetics, that has got more to do with time under tension than it has with actual weight being shifted.
I think the whole time under tension for BB is a myth- it's all about poundage shifted with maximal force in a rep range that suits your needs. For example, if you can bench 150kg- you're going to recruit less muscle fibres doing 10 slow reps with 80kg than if you were doing 10 normal reps (controlled down/fast up) with 115kg. You'll also get stronger with option 2, which will mean you can progressively use more weight, cause more stress and grow more. Watching vids of top BB's, and you rarely see them doing slow reps- it's 99% controlled eccentric with a fast concentric. didelydoo said:
TheJimi said:
Even if your aim is aesthetics, that has got more to do with time under tension than it has with actual weight being shifted.
I think the whole time under tension for BB is a myth- it's all about poundage shifted with maximal force in a rep range that suits your needs. For example, if you can bench 150kg- you're going to recruit less muscle fibres doing 10 slow reps with 80kg than if you were doing 10 normal reps (controlled down/fast up) with 115kg. You'll also get stronger with option 2, which will mean you can progressively use more weight, cause more stress and grow more. Watching vids of top BB's, and you rarely see them doing slow reps- it's 99% controlled eccentric with a fast concentric. "heavy" is, as you point out, subjective, so the weights used are relative to the individual doing the lifting.
When you're talking about the controlled eccentric, that's what I'm talking about when I mention time under tension.
We're getting into semantics a bit here, since once man's "slow" is another man's "controlled"
I have always assumed that, to build muscle, you must always lift near your limit (or on it) at least 5 times per set, with 10-12 reps being more preferable?
ETA - I had been preacher curling with 40 - 42.5 - 42.75- 45kg, managing 12 reps with all weights without problems, I didn't think 50kg would be step too far, just progression..
ETA - I had been preacher curling with 40 - 42.5 - 42.75- 45kg, managing 12 reps with all weights without problems, I didn't think 50kg would be step too far, just progression..
Edited by chris watton on Friday 5th December 10:53
TheJimi said:
Amen brother 
Also, as the case is, big arms tend to come from thick triceps rather than biceps. In terms of the bicep, it amuses me how much focus people put into one of the smallest muscles!
Hollywood has a lot to answer for
I should point out that I do 4 x 5 sets of curl exercises per week (while adding some pulley curls too if I felt OK), and double the number of triceps exercises, pull downs and extensions (usually add on triceps pull downs at the end of each session) - so let's not get carried away thinking that curls are the main exercise - I just happened to try a little too hard, like I do with all sets, but come of the worse for it in this instance. I try and hit all muscle groups equally each week.Also, as the case is, big arms tend to come from thick triceps rather than biceps. In terms of the bicep, it amuses me how much focus people put into one of the smallest muscles!
Hollywood has a lot to answer for
Edited by TheJimi on Friday 5th December 11:54
I do have the equipment for pull ups/chin ups, though, so I think I shall give them a try once I have recovered...
Edited by chris watton on Friday 5th December 12:49
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