Gym advice

[Pooky]

I think I'm doing something wrong at gym. The day before yesterday I used the Bicep Curl machine quite a bit, and now the muscles inbetween my forearm and my upper arm are really sore; http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php?photo=9067&cat=500 (where the red circle is)

If I'm not mistaken, it's the actual bicep that should be sore?

So what am I doing wrong?

Thanks.

 

[.Froot.]

Did you by any chance overdo it? You should start off with a light weight and gradually build up as you get stronger.
Your joints (knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders and wrists) get hurt in the gym if you either do it wrong, or use too much weight too early.

 

[oober]

Well it sounds like you might have stretched your ligaments. You should do lighter weights and gradually go heavier. Also try to do free weights since you can move your arm more naturally than the machine.

As to what you can do now is just give it time to heal.

 

[Pooky]

Nope it wasn't too much at all, I did quite a bit of reps though. It's definitely not my joint. When I stretch my arms straight it really hurts though. And my biceps hardly feel anything.

 

[Zenbaas]

Nope it wasn't too much at all, I did quite a bit of reps though. It's definitely not my joint. When I stretch my arms straight it really hurts though. And my biceps hardly feel anything.

Remember you're forearms are probably quite weak as well....the effort of holding onto the bar probably caused you more effort than the curls themselves.
I also get sore on the same spot at times...So don't worry about it too much

 

[Pooky]

So would you guys recommend free weights as opposed to the machines?

...I just find the machines somewhat easier.

 

[Nanfeishen]

Sounds to me as if you over-extended the elbow, (straightened it too much) when you extended out or down, it can also happen if you roll the wrist away from you at full extension.

The follwing link may provide you with some further info, I have found it to be invaluable in its info and with very nice animated giffs showing the exercises as well.

eg: biceps lever curl http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Biceps/LVCurl.html

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

 

[Deenem]

I think I'm doing something wrong at gym. The day before yesterday I used the Bicep Curl machine quite a bit, and now the muscles inbetween my forearm and my upper arm are really sore; http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php?photo=9067&cat=500 (where the red circle is)

If I'm not mistaken, it's the actual bicep that should be sore?

So what am I doing wrong?

Thanks.

You've strained your tendons, nothing serious but you should rather build up to big weights that going all out.

You can take a supplement called L-glutamine which will protect your muscles and tendons when you do weight training.

And, free weights just help you isolate the muscle you are working. A bicep machine will work your bicep, forearm, shoulder and a few other muscles. Using free weights will just work your biceps, nothing else.

 

[Hosehead]

excessive lactic acid buildup. Stretch.

 

[Pooky]

Thanks for our help guys. That site looks really good. I will try reduce the weight.

My new years resolution is to get really staunch.

 

[Zenbaas]

You've strained your tendons, nothing serious but you should rather build up to big weights that going all out.

You can take a supplement called L-glutamine which will protect your muscles and tendons when you do weight training.

And, free weights just help you isolate the muscle you are working. A bicep machine will work your bicep, forearm, shoulder and a few other muscles. Using free weights will just work your biceps, nothing else.

Errr...no. But if you are willing to take it easy I would almost always recommend free weights above machines in most cases. Free weights will focus on the muscle you are trying to work and the accessory muscles that support and stabilize them whereas with machines they sometimes isolate the movement to such a degree that important smaller muscles do not develop and injuries may occur. The hammer strength machines in the virgin active clubs though are quite good

 

[Doit]

This is very commen problem, you should rest for atleast three days,
It will come right.

 

[thatdamnJoe]

So would you guys recommend free weights as opposed to the machines?

...I just find the machines somewhat easier.

Which is why you should do free weights instead. No use slacking off. If you're gonna do it, do it right.

I actively try and do the exercises which I find most difficult

 

[Slaine73]

Definitely free weights instead of machines. And don't worry about the arms, give it at least three days of rest and they will be fine. Your arms just weren't used to this and now are a bit over worked.

 

[guest2013-1]

So would you guys recommend free weights as opposed to the machines?

...I just find the machines somewhat easier.

Free weights > machines

Machines can be used incorrectly (as you've proved) and can cause some damage. Free weights too, but IMO with free weights you get the added benefit of exercising your forearms (gripping them and having to keep them up)

You should also actively try to concentrate on the bit of muscle you are trying to exercise. if you can't feel it in your bicep you're doing something wrong. I'd suggest asking for advice with some of the oomies at the gym that does power lifting. i found they helped me a lot (and the personal trainer giving me advice/posture at machines)

Also just FYI, its very important to stretch after weights because your ligaments may start to become bunched up which impairs movement.

 

[guest2013-1]

Definitely free weights instead of machines. And don't worry about the arms, give it at least three days of rest and they will be fine. Your arms just weren't used to this and now are a bit over worked.

a great exercise for arms is push-ups does the back quite nicely too

 

[wizdumb]

as the others said, try free weights rather than machines. (machines limit movement movement in most cases)

on your pic, it looks like the pain start where the bicep begins - so it should just be fine in a few days, as that is also where i get stiff in my arms after a hectic and hard arm training session at the gym

 

[JK8]

Let it hurt man!
It means its working, the muscle tears and then repairs itself making it bigger!

I use free weights till I cant do anymore then I use the machines.

 

[Deenem]

Errr...no. But if you are willing to take it easy I would almost always recommend free weights above machines in most cases. Free weights will focus on the muscle you are trying to work and the accessory muscles that support and stabilize them whereas with machines they sometimes isolate the movement to such a degree that important smaller muscles do not develop and injuries may occur. The hammer strength machines in the virgin active clubs though are quite good

OK, I learned something new

 

[Pooky]

Cool thanks for the info's. Now how can I get really staunch really quickly? (without sketchy illegal substances)