"Why aren't the traditional barbell curls listed in your sample biceps routine? At least I don't recall that I saw them there. Barbell curls are considered to be the king of biceps exercises."
-CS
My Answer: King of biceps exercises? On what basis? I like the barbell curl, but Strength and Physique Volume One explains why the biceps like dumbbells better. When it comes to upper body exercises and hypertrophy, the dumbbell version always beats the barbell version, hands down. This is for all upper body dumbbell exercises, not just curls. Your nervous has to exercise far more control on a pair of heavy dumbbells than it does on a barbell.
The dumbbells are easier on the joints, because they don't lock you in like the barbell. Your hands can twist and turn the dumbbells as you move the weight. Plus the range of motion is greater with dumbbells. Do a barbell curl, and the range of motion starts and stops at mid-thigh, because the bar is impeding the full range of curling. Dumbbell curls allow you to go through a full range of motion, which is better for biceps development.
-CS
My Answer: King of biceps exercises? On what basis? I like the barbell curl, but Strength and Physique Volume One explains why the biceps like dumbbells better. When it comes to upper body exercises and hypertrophy, the dumbbell version always beats the barbell version, hands down. This is for all upper body dumbbell exercises, not just curls. Your nervous has to exercise far more control on a pair of heavy dumbbells than it does on a barbell.
The dumbbells are easier on the joints, because they don't lock you in like the barbell. Your hands can twist and turn the dumbbells as you move the weight. Plus the range of motion is greater with dumbbells. Do a barbell curl, and the range of motion starts and stops at mid-thigh, because the bar is impeding the full range of curling. Dumbbell curls allow you to go through a full range of motion, which is better for biceps development.