The concentration curl is an isolation exercise targeting the elbow flexors’ biceps brachii (muscle). The benefit of this exercise is its simplicity and practicality when no equipment is available to perform any other type of curl. It can be performed anywhere, indoors or outdoors, without necessary special tools.
The concentration curl is an isolation exercise for the biceps brachii, consisting of one arm being raised with the elbow flexed at a 90-degree angle. The palm is supinated with fingers facing upwards. The shoulders are typically kept down and relaxed.
This movement focuses on slow eccentric (negative) curl movements to increase resistance training stimuli on the biceps brachii. It can be easily progressed or regressed by changing hand position relative to the body and adjusting the degree of elbow flexion during the lift.
The benefits of the concentration curl are grounded in strengthening the biceps brachii, which is one of the primary elbow flexors. It also serves as a good starting point for beginners to practice isolation movements. It also increases hypertrophy in the biceps, which causes muscle growth.
The muscles involved in the concentration curl are the biceps brachii, an elbow flexor. The primary action of the bicep curl is to bring the forearm up towards the shoulder, rotating it so that the palm faces away from the body. This movement is dependent on other muscles to be carried out effectively and safely, including the brachioradialis and triceps brachii.
To master the concentration curl, one must have proper form and grip strength. Concentration curl type counts are usually three sets of 10 to 12 reps when performing the movement seated, which is the primary concentration curl type.
There are several concentration curl techniques. Which one works best for each person will differ. The main goal is to prevent common mistakes that lead to common injuries such as overuse or lifting too much weight.
This article aims to show you the importance of proper form to prevent these types of errors.
How to Perform Concentration Curls with Proper Form?
To dominate the concentration curl, one must start with proper form. The proper form for the concentration curl is detrimental to preventing unnecessary injuries. If you are done correctly, concentration curls are an effective workout to include in your biceps exercise routine. Let’s take a closer look at what a concentration curl with good form should look like.
- Sit on a bench with your knees bent at 90 degrees
- Put your feet flat on the floor
- Hold a dumbbell in your right hand
- Place your upper right arm on the inside of your right thigh
- Curl the weight up slowly, moving just your forearms
- Pause for a beat and squeeze your biceps
- Gently return the weight to the start
- Do all your reps on one arm, then switch to the other
Proper form prominence of the concentration curl occurs when you feel your biceps contracting. The function of the concentration curl is to enhance your ability to grip and pull things while holding them steady.
What are the Benefits of the Concentration Curl?
The benefit of the concentration curl is strengthening the biceps brachii, which is one of the leading elbow flexors. It also serves as a good starting point for beginners to practice isolation movements. The movement increases hypertrophy in the biceps, which causes muscle growth. Here are the primary benefits of the concentration curl.
- Improves strength and gives you muscle gains
- Increases your athletic performance
- Improves your upper body aesthetic
What are the Mistakes for Concentration Curl Form?
When performing either one or two-arm concentration curls, the main mistakes are using improper momentum and not following proper concentration curling technique (ex. elbow flaring out, bicep rolling in).
Another concentration curl mistake is using too much weight (dumbbell or barbell). Conventional concentration curl form is the best way to perform the movement. This way, you avoid improper form and using too much weight.
These errors can be highly detrimental to performance and safety. They will cause pain in the bicep tendon. Common injuries in the concentration curl are bicep tears and elbow tendonitis. Using a good concentration curl form will prevent these injuries.
How to Determine Proper Weight for Concentration Curl?
You should achieve momentary muscle failure in around 8-15 reps when doing the concentration curl set. The goal is to be able to do the workout with proper form. If you have to sacrifice your form, the weight is too heavy. Starting with a lower weight is a great way to get used to doing the workout properly.
What is the Importance of Grip for the Concentration Curl?
Having a good grip when doing the concentration curl is essential for many reasons. You will see a significant improvement in your muscle gains when you have a good grip on the weight when doing the exercise.
The definition of grip strength is a way of holding something. In this case, the person will be tightly gripping the weight while doing a concentration curl.
A tighter grip equals increased force in the movement. Having a tight grip is a direct connection to the concentration curl’s proper form. It decreases your chances of injury and accidents when in the middle of a concentration curl set.
Which Muscles are Involved While Performing Concentration Curl?
The muscles involved in the concentration curl are the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and elbow flexor.
The Brachioradialis is an elbow flexor of the forearm involved in movements including gripping and supination.
The triceps brachii is a powerful muscle at the back of the upper arm, which is responsible for extending or straightening out the arm.
The biceps are the prime movers for elbow flexion, but they are assisted by the muscles mentioned above.
What are the Concentration Curl Variations?
A concentration curl variation is any slight variation you make to the regular concentration curl. There are many variations of this exercise. Today we will be focusing on three of them.
1. Standing Concentration Curl
The standing concentration curl is variated by not sitting down. Instead, you will be standing up. You can even bring your back leg forward and place it on a chair to give you extra support.
2. Landmine Concentration Curl
The landmine concentration curl is variated by standing at the side of a landmine station. To do this, you will pick up one end of the barbell and rest it against your hip. Then you can grab onto it like any other concentration curl.
3. Body Weight Concentration Curl
The bodyweight concentration curl is variated by doing the exercise without any weights. It is possible to do concentration curls using only your body weight as resistance, although you will need a short bar or beam to hold onto for this variation.
What are the Necessary Pieces of Equipment for the Concentration Curl?
The best concentration curl can be performed with only bodyweight. However, one can use a set of dumbbells or a barbell for added resistance.
What are the Concentration Curl-Related Facts?
- Concentration curls enhance lifting form by increasing tension in the biceps
- Concentration curls enhance your grip by strengthening your forearms
- Concentration curls are quite easy to do at home since all you need is a bar or beam that you can hold on to while sitting down or standing up.
These facts make perfect sense because the concentration curl is an isolation exercise. Therefore, it is performed in a controlled manner that increases the tension of the bicep. Having a tighter grip enhances the activation of the forearms. The movement is effortless since it can be performed without weight while sitting.
Does Concentration Curl Affect the Hormones?
Performing the concentration curl contributes to an increase in cortisol and hormones levels. Excess cortisol helps increase the supply of amino acids to the liver, enhancing protein catabolism. The muscle is essentially broken down to rebuild itself stronger. The result is muscle memory and growth.
Does Concentration Curl Affect the Mood?
Weight training affects mood because it reduces anxiety and increases calmness which helps one release pent-up aggression.
The benefits of utilizing the concentration curl for a better mood include the following.
- Increased energy
- Reducing fatigue
- Releases endorphins that boost your spirit
Is the Concentration Curl Practiced within CrossFit?
Concentration curls are essential for building the biceps. While concentration curls may be used in CrossFit, they aren’t crucial to the sport because it focuses on multiple muscles working at once.
Is the Concentration Curl a Military Movement?
Concentration curls are not a military exercises because they don’t help with coordination. Coordination is just as crucial as strength which can be built with Olympic movements. Concentration curls may be done as part of training, but they aren’t used exclusively by the military.
Is the Concentration Curl Dangerous?
Concentration curls are dangerous if you use too much weight. They can put too much stress on your biceps which may cause serious injuries.
Is the Concentration Curl Push or Pull?
The concentration curl is a pull exercise because the biceps are used to bring your forearms up towards you.
Is Concentration Curl Essential?
The concentration curl is essential because it is one of the best exercises for isolation strength training in the biceps.
Is the Concentration Curl an Olympic Lift?
The concentration curl is not an Olympic lift because it is not as efficient as other lifts such as squats and deadlifts, which do a better job of training multiple muscles at one time.
