Group: Strength & Powerlifting

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 38, Messages: 16459

Discuss the topic of Power lifting, Strength training and Strong Man training!

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curl question

2012/06/04, 11:28 PM
Is there a mechanical reason that explains why I am able to hammer  curl a pretty good bit more in both weight and reps than I can a regular dumbbell curl?
rev8ball
rev8ball
Posts: 3,081
Joined: 2001/12/27
United States
2012/06/07, 09:30 AM (Edited: rev8ball - 2012/06/07, 09:33 AM)
Yes.

Whereas in a regular bicep curl, you are using mostly the biceps and then the brachialis, with hammer curls, you are bringing in the brachioradialis more.
2012/06/07, 09:33 AM
Thank you Michael.
rev8ball
rev8ball
Posts: 3,081
Joined: 2001/12/27
United States
2012/06/07, 09:35 AM
Here's a pic:

2012/06/07, 10:27 AM (Edited: @ft@d_124774 - 2012/06/07, 10:28 AM)
I suspected it was mechanical. Now it makes sense. I know my triceps lifts are stronger because twice as much muscle is at work. I also thought the fact that I'm taller with longer limbs had an effect as well on several of my lifts. I can not do a lunge the way the form pictures on this sight illustrate. I can't touch or nearly touch my knee to the floor when lunging. I compensate by doing ball lunges which keep my forward knee from going out past my toes but enable me to get my upper leg parallel to the floor. I think shorter lifters have certain advantages but that's just my suspicion.

Thanks again. I am enjoying following you on FB. Congratulations on your success.
rev8ball
rev8ball
Posts: 3,081
Joined: 2001/12/27
United States
2012/06/07, 12:41 PM
Absolutely.
It really comes down to muscle attachment. Shorter lifters generally have less distance to travel over all. However, some taller athletes (think strongman) have longer attachments; in other words, in the case of a lever, they have a longer moment arm, which allows greater force development (like a crow bar that is 3 ft long vs a crow bar that is 6 inches long). There may be a bit of a loss in power because it may take a split second longer to contract the muscle with a longer attachment, but that is a entirely different discussion.

Sorry about going off on a tangent. Someone mentions mechanics, and I'll talk all day.......


Thanks for the probs, bro. It is definitely a work in progress....