When it comes to hitting the gym, there's one thing that we always try to find out. Let’s admit it, we want to know right away which exercises or routines are more effective than others.
With that being said, it's not uncommon anymore to see people asking which is better- dumbbell curls or barbell curls? Of course, they both improve biceps, build bigger arms, and provide other workout benefits. And before you get caught in a heated debate on finding out which is which, we'll discuss with you everything we know about dumbbell and barbell curls.
Bicep Curling Exercise – Why Is It Important?
Both the barbell curls and dumbbell curl are exercises for building biceps.
If you want to achieve defined biceps, curling exercises are absolutely important. They don't just give you big muscular biceps, they also help strengthen them. Not to mention that this type of exercise is also efficient in working the shoulders and the muscles.
Dumbbell Curl vs. Barbell Curl
The difference between the dumbbell curl and the barbell curl is the equipment being utilized. But there is a big difference in their functions and benefits. We've listed the pros and cons of each curling exercise:
DUMBBELL CURL
PROS
*Provides more freedom of motion since you can rotate wrist during exercise
*You can use weights in isolation and lift the same amount of weight for each arm to prevent muscle imbalance
*Dumbbells are more stabilizing compared to a barbell.
*It's excellent for overall fitness, control, balance, and conditioning.
CONS
*It's iso-lateral or unilateral, which means that you can only exercise one side at a time only
*Carrying dumbbell with heavier weights can cause muscle damage and increase risk of injury
BARBELL CURL
PROS
*Progression is much easier compared to a dumbbell.
*Possibly safer.
* It's a bilateral routine. Which means that both arms move together to lift the barbell.
*It's the ideal curling exercise for heavy lifting and powerlifting.
CONS
*It can cause wrist pain since the position of the wrist during barbell curls is somewhat unnatural
*There's a limited range of motion due to the bar.
Which is Which?
While both exercises are bicep mass builders, they are obviously different from each other. Generally speaking, dumbbells are the best option if you want to strengthen both biceps and stabilize the muscles. If you are into heavy lifting and want progress with the weights you are carrying, a barbell is your ideal option.
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