Bicep Curls.. dumbbells vs barbell

[Lynn M.]

Hi to the educated crowd!!

Why is it that doing a bicep curl using a barbell is so much harder than doing curls with dumbbells?

I can lift so much more weight w/ dumbbells than a barbell and am wondering if anybody knows why? It seems like I am calling on the same parts of the bicep to make the movement, but it so much more difficult.

Thanks in advance for your input!!

Take care, Lynn M.

 

[faie]

It could be because with barbells, your stronger bicep (in the left or right arm) are working hard to compensate for your weaker bicep (in the other arm) to lift the bar. With dumbbells, each bicep is worked individually.

 

[hippahips]

It could also be that with a barbell, your wrists are in a fixed position, whereas with dumbbells, your wrists are freer to position themselves in such a way that helps you lift the weight better.

There was a thread similar to this a long time ago, and if I remember correctly, some posters said they have a harder time with dumbbells than with a barbell.

As for me, when I started using a barbell, I found it harder than dumbbells. But now I feel no difference anymore. I guess it all depends on who you ask.

Pinky

 

[clareMc]

Bicep curls with barbell hurt me way more than they do with dumbells, particularly in the forearms. I think it may have to do with the fact that with the barbell, my arms are more rigid, so this eliminates more momentum from the movement and uses the msuscle more. With dumbells, momentum can creep in more easily.

What do others think?

Clare

 

[mtnmom99]

I have problems doing bicep curls with a barbell. Not because of my muscles giving out, but it somehow irritates a tendon (or something) on the inside of my right elbow. I think my arms are rotated slightly more outward and it puts a different pressure on it. I feel a popping when starting the set and it doesn't hurt at first. But by the end of the set, I have a real "ouch" going on. I just always substitute with dumbbells.

-Diane

 

[kathryn]

I prefer doing them with dumbbells as well: I like to vary my hand position, and I don't want the weak arm getting a free ride from the strong arm!

As to your original question: why are they harder with barbells than with dumbells and why can't you lift more. Actually, one should be able to lift more total weight with a barbell because fewer stabilizer muscles are called into play, but I found the same thing. I can now do curls with 20# dumbbells, but I don't think I could do the same move with a 40# barbell for the same amount of reps. Part of it is that I don't like the fixed position my wrist are in with a barbell.

 

[Maximus]

It could also depend on how you do your curls. It's easier to use your body's momentum w/dumbbells. I do concentration curls w/dumbbells (where you sit down & position your elbow on your thigh, thereby eliminating any potential momentum from your body) and I do the same weight as I do w/the barbell.

 

[Lynn M.]

Hi everybody!

Thanks for the comments.. everybody really had some great suggestions!!

I do like using dumbbells better. I feel like the range of motion is better and I can more effectively feel the contraction than with a barbell. The suggestions about momentum is a good one though. A good reminder to not be swinging those weights!!

For you P90xer's.. fyi.. my bicep strength increased tremendously after the completion of the rotation.. must be all of those reverse grip pullups!!!

Take care and thanks again!!

Lynn M.