Assuming strict form for both straight BB and DB curls, I can curl more with DB’s than BB’s. This goes against all logic correct? Generally you can always lift more using a BB.
Any idea what my problem/weakness might be? Something must not be activated when using the BB, that is when curling.
If you are doing the DB’s one at a time (alternating) then it is not that unusual. You can slightly change your body mechanics (ie lean into it) to make the 1 arm curl easier. It is more uncommon if you are doing them together with about the same form. If you have spent a ton of time practicing with DB’s and not much with the barbell then that can also happen.
Dead Lifts
[quote]Pistol Pete wrote:
Dead Lifts[/quote]
What do you mean by that? Doing deadlifts and BB curls in same session causes my BB curl to decrease, while leaving my DB curl relatively unchanged?
[quote]JFG12 wrote:
Pistol Pete wrote:
Dead Lifts
What do you mean by that? Doing deadlifts and BB curls in same session causes my BB curl to decrease, while leaving my DB curl relatively unchanged?[/quote]
I think he just means you shouldn’t do curls at all, and instead spend your time deadlifting.
The barbell limits your curling technique a lot. With the dumbbell,you can manipulate it just right so you can use your strongest ROM.
Also the distribution of the weight relative to your body is not the same with barbells and dumbbells,which I think could have an effect,no matter how slight. As an extreme example,nobody can curl their barbell max by grabbing one end of the bar with both hands. Terrible leverage. I also personally find the thickness and length of the barbell makes a difference.
I suppose it’s natural and meant to be that way. People lift (in single limb lifts) more than 50% of their two arm or two leg max in any lift.
From an article by Thib:
“This technique is based on the general principle that you can lift more weight when performing a movement unilaterally (one side at a time). Reason being, the neural drive is focused on the one active side, thus more high-threshold motor units can be recruited.”
I honestly cannot remember the last time I curled, so I really have no answer.
If I want “TEH GUNZ” I do more weighted chins.
[quote]Checkmate wrote:
I honestly cannot remember the last time I curled, so I really have no answer.
If I want “TEH GUNZ” I do more weighted chins.[/quote]
I know the advice about doing deadlifts and chins rather than curls is usually good advice. But I do those. I follow WS4SB3. Curls aren’t a focus, but they do get done for 3-6 sets a week. I just noticed that my BB curl is less than my DB curl… and found that odd. It’s not a huge deal since curls are such a small part of my workout. However, I thought maybe my lifting less using BB’s meant that I am not activating something in my arms… and that could lead to problems in the future.
[quote]VikingsAD28 wrote:
JFG12 wrote:
Pistol Pete wrote:
Dead Lifts
What do you mean by that? Doing deadlifts and BB curls in same session causes my BB curl to decrease, while leaving my DB curl relatively unchanged?
I think he just means you shouldn’t do curls at all, and instead spend your time deadlifting.[/quote]
solid
[quote]horsepuss wrote:
VikingsAD28 wrote:
JFG12 wrote:
Pistol Pete wrote:
Dead Lifts
What do you mean by that? Doing deadlifts and BB curls in same session causes my BB curl to decrease, while leaving my DB curl relatively unchanged?
I think he just means you shouldn’t do curls at all, and instead spend your time deadlifting.
solid[/quote]
[quote]horsepuss wrote:
VikingsAD28 wrote:
JFG12 wrote:
Pistol Pete wrote:
Dead Lifts
What do you mean by that? Doing deadlifts and BB curls in same session causes my BB curl to decrease, while leaving my DB curl relatively unchanged?
I think he just means you shouldn’t do curls at all, and instead spend your time deadlifting.
solid[/quote]
Not really… if you actually read my above post. I’m guessing aside from the couple of people that actually made an attempt to say something intelligent… the rest have no clue and so repeating the usual answer “Squats and milk” is what you resort to.
It was a pretty basic question guys… just wondering what it could mean, if anything. And if you took the time to ask if I deadlift and squat… you would realize that I do.
[quote]Alffi wrote:
I suppose it’s natural and meant to be that way. People lift (in single limb lifts) more than 50% of their two arm or two leg max in any lift. [/quote]
Keep dreaming. So you can dumbbell press with one arm more than half of your bench press? You can leg press with one leg more than half of what you can do with two legs? You can do a full squat on one leg with more than half of the weight you use for a normal squat?
There certainly are some situations where you can do more than half with one limb than two, but there are many situations where you can not and it also depends on how you train. Saying you can do it in any lift is not accurate.
JFG-12, just ask the people that are suggesting you don’t curl how much they curl, and then see if you still want to take their advice. I have yet to see a lifter with impressive arms and/or impressive arm strength than does not do some direct training for them.
Strength wise, what kind of difference are you talking about with the Barbell vs the DB?