Note: I do not recommend that you only target (or isolate) a single muscle group for a complete work out. When you attempt to "isolate" muscles by performing single-joint exercises, you are actually creating a body that is non-functional and will be more prone to injury. Essentially, you are creating a body that is a compilation of body parts, instead of a powerful, functional unit that works together.
Part Four: Bicep Exercises
Alternate Hammer Curl
Main Muscle Worked: Biceps
Other Muscles: Forearms
Equipment: Dumbbell
- Stand up with your torso upright and a dumbbell in each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso.
- The palms of the hands should be facing your torso. This will be your starting position.
- While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the right weight forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Continue the movement until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
- Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as your breathe in.
- Repeat the movement with the left hand. This equals one repetition.
- Continue alternating in this manner for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Alternate Incline Dumbbell Curl
Main Muscle Worked: Biceps
Other Muscles: Forearms
Equipment: Dumbbell
Other Muscles: Forearms
Equipment: Dumbbell
- Sit down on an incline bench with a dumbbell in each hand being held at arms length. Tip: Keep the elbows close to the torso.This will be your starting position.
- While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the right weight forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. As you do so, rotate the hand so that the palm is facing up. Continue the movement until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
- Slowly begin to bring the dumbbell back to starting position as your breathe in.
- Repeat the movement with the left hand. This equals one repetition.
- Continue alternating in this manner for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Concentration Curls
Main Muscle Worked: Biceps
Other Muscles: Forearms
Equipment: Dumbbell
- Sit down on a flat bench with one dumbbell in front of you between your legs. Your legs should be spread with your knees bent and feet on the floor.
- Use your right arm to pick the dumbbell up. Place the back of your right upper arm on the top of your inner right thigh. Rotate the palm of your hand until it is facing forward away from your thigh. Tip: Your arm should be extended and the dumbbell should be above the floor. This will be your starting position.
- While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Tip: At the top of the movement make sure that the little finger of your arm is higher than your thumb. This guarantees a good contraction. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps.
- Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as your breathe in. Caution: Avoid swinging motions at any time.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions. Then repeat the movement with the left arm.
Barbell Curl
Main Muscle Worked: Biceps
Other Muscles: Forearms
Equipment: Barbell
- Stand up with your torso upright while holding a barbell at a shoulder-width grip. The palm of your hands should be facing forward and the elbows should be close to the torso. This will be your starting position.
- While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
- Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second and squeeze the biceps hard.
- Slowly begin to bring the bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Dumbbell Prone Incline Curl
Main Muscle Worked: Biceps
Equipment: Dumbbell
- Grab a dumbbell on each hand and lie face down on an incline bench with your shoulders near top of the incline. Your knees can rest on the seat or your legs can be straddled to the sides (my preferred way).
- Let your arms extend and hang naturally in front of you so that they are perpendicular to the floor.
- Now keep your elbows in by your side and face the palms forward. This will be your starting position.
- Raise the dumbbells by contracting the biceps until your arms are fully flexed. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement and ensure that only the forearms move. The upper arms should remain stationary at all times.
- Lower the dumbbells until your arms are fully extended.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of times.
Take these exercises, along with those from the previous articles and the ones that will follow in the next few articles, and combine them to create your own total body work out routine. In addition, put in place a healthy diet, and you will be well on your way to being healthy and fit.
Always remember to warm up for at least 5 - 10 minutes before beginning a work out routine.
Want some ideas for your abs? Give the Truth About Abs program a try.
Take a look at The Gabriel Method weight loss program, this guy lost over 200 pounds!
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5 Great At Home Abdominal Exercises
5 Great At Home Shoulder Exercises
5 Great At home Chest Exercises
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