Help - Curls for the girls and what not

Hey all,

I have been working through Stronglift 5x5, and I am enjoying the full range of the workouts offered (especially squats). But one aspect is bothering me. I feel that there is not a lot of focus on the arms (I could be mistaken here).

Don't get me wrong, I want a balanced physique, but I would like to tone my arms and maybe put on slightly more muscle in them...

Edit: Forgot to add that I have searched subreddit, and I have also checked the FAQs, but nothing really fit the question I was asking.

What would be some exercises at home and at the gym that I could do?

Posted Dec 29, 2010, 4:55 PM UTC · edited

29
TeedleJay•

Throw some curls in there! By God, you've earned it. Get some veins popping & enjoy your "swole" you Rippetoean stallion! Are you feeling like a poser douchenozzle for doing a glamour exercise? Fuck that, good sir; you've paid your dividends with parallel thighs and agony.

10
aaronsourus•

And that good sir, is well said, well said indeed

3
[deleted]•

Something people tend to gloss over is that in the book, Starting Strength, Rippetoe actually recommends curls.

2
gnomesane•

Haha you just blew r/fitness's hivemind.

2
SelfImmolationOP•

hahaha brilliant, thank you!

1
thetreece•

If you want to throw in a few sets of dumbbell curls, there is nothing wrong with that. I would suggest chin-ups and pull-ups also, if you can do those.

Most people will say, "No, curls are useless! They aren't one of the 5 big lifts! You will surely get weaker, start popping your collar, and never develop functional strength." They can fuck off. Curls are an excellent way to strengthen your bicep. Also, when you get up to heavier weight, it strengthens your entire forearm and grip as well.

edit: Also, I would look into dips. Do them on chairs or something. They will build up your triceps, chest, and your shoulders to some extent.

6
SelfImmolationOP•

Cheers!

2
[deleted]•

but I would like to tone my arms and maybe put on slightly more muscle in them...

What do you think tone means exactly in this context? There's body fat, and muscle size. Tone just means the combination of more muscle, less fat. All you can do is build the muscles and lose some fat.

As for good exercises to get swole biceps, drop sets of curls will get you brotastic in no time. Load up the bar with as many five pound plates as you can, then curl until your arms are going to fall off, remove one pair of plates, then repeat until you're down to the empty bar. No resting.

4
[deleted]•

barbell curls. and make them overhand once in a while for some forearm strength.

2