If I can't do curls, what's a good bicep alternative?

[dusty]

Every time I curl my left arm with any weight on it, I get a sickening pop once I hit about the 45 degree mark. This is probably the result of dislocating my elbow when I was a kid. I'm no doctor, but it seems to me like it's a tendon rolling over an edge of bone or something like that. I don't know if it actually harmful, but it's disconcerting either way. So if i don't want to do full curls, what are my options for biceps?

 

[Connemara]

Just be weak forever

 

[Flambeur]

well the natural thing to say is: "man up and do curls"

but in reality curls are the last exercise I care about - there is a million other things to do before that.

Can you squat, deadlift, press? cause that's kinda all you need.

 

[Philosoph]

Can you do pullups, chins, deadlifts, iron cross, rows?

 

[thekunk07]

close grip chins and you can also attach a rope to a bunch of plates and pull it towards you.

 

[RedLantern]

Pullups, chinups, hammer curls?, rows.

 

[dusty]

I can do everything except curls and their derivatives. The problem with pullups is I never feel like they have the breaking-down power of curls.

 

[Philosoph]

Meh. Build up your chinning strength and work towards a one-arm chin.

 

[APK]

Another vote for chin-ups. Rows with palms facing forward will also do the trick.

 

[robertorex]

I'd say get a doctor to see what's up with your arm first. if you can't do curls I don't see how you'd be able to do chins without popping whatever it is that goes pop.

 

[Invicta]

Originally Posted by Philosoph

Build up your chinning strength

Originally Posted by RedLantern

Pullups, chinups

Originally Posted by thekunk07

close grip chins.

Originally Posted by Philosoph

pullups, chinups?

Originally Posted by APK

Another vote for chin-ups.


+1

Chin/Pull-ups and their weighted variations, does the body good.

 

[imhotep]

Originally Posted by dusty

Every time I curl my left arm with any weight on it, I get a sickening pop once I hit about the 45 degree mark. This is probably the result of dislocating my elbow when I was a kid. I'm no doctor, but it seems to me like it's a tendon rolling over an edge of bone or something like that. I don't know if it actually harmful, but it's disconcerting either way. So if i don't want to do full curls, what are my options for biceps?

I have this same thing in my left arm. Although, I don't know if by "pop", you mean that it's audible? Mine is not audible unless you listen very carefully, and happens with any flexion of my arm, regardless of weight load. I don't believe mine is the result of any injury. Also, it has not hindered my ability to lift weights, and I've been doing so for about 9 years.

 

[dimshum]

Originally Posted by dusty

I can do everything except curls and their derivatives. The problem with pullups is I never feel like they have the breaking-down power of curls.

Seriously? Then wear a chain belt and add weight - I doubt you'll be able to pull your bodyweight + 50 lbs consistently without some serious arm/back strength. As much of a burn you may feel in your biceps from doing curls, you're really not doing all that much.

Chins on the other hand...

 

[pokey07]

pull-ups
any back exercises will help work out your biceps
synthol

 

[Dac]

unless you have an absolute stack of muscle on you then you should not be doing curls. isolation exercises are only necessary to shape and define large muscles, not for your beginner or even intermediate weightlifter.