I have been experimenting with different forms of bicep lifts for a while now, and I find when I do straight-barbell curls that I get a strong, sharp pain up my left forearm (usually prevents me from finishing - I listen to my body) during the upper half of the motion. I have had this before (summer), and from what I have found from others who had similar problems is that this is caused by a tendon being overpulled. My form is good and my right arm doesn't hurt, but then again my right arm is dominant and likely has more give to it. I looked on the net for a good muscle/tendon directory, but had no such luck. The tendon is the one that runs along the bone on the outer forearm (a flexor a believe). Is this what I think it is?


Also, I have been doing preacher curls as a bicep exercise. I decided to take a look on www.exrx.net on the weekend and discovered (previously unbeknownst to me) that it targets the Brachialis, with the Bicep as a synergist. :confused: I suppose my grade 10 gym teacher was just being simplistic when he said it was a Bicep targeter.

So, would the preacher curl not be a good exercise for bicep day? Normally I do 2x DB, 2x BB, and 2x Preacher, but was considering changing to 3x DB and 3x Preacher, since I get severe forearm pain on the BB (as per above). However, since discovering that it targets the Brachialis, I don't really know what the merit of preacher curls would be. Synergist is all fine and dandy, but if it isn't going to help my biceps much do I really want to include it? I want to fairly work all parts of my arm, but if the Brachialis is supposed to take second place to the Bicep then I should re-modify my planned modification. I would really appreciate any input.

Thanks :d_biggrin

i sometimes get a bit of tendonitis there after an intense bicep routine.
Using Dumbells on the preacher bench will usually hit your bicep better than an ezybar or BB, i like to mix it up a bit so i alternate them each week.

Instead of doing the straight bar curls, why don't you try using the ez-curl bar, but standing, like you would a straight bar. Use the wider grip to aim for your inner bicep, use close grip to target the outer bicep.