Why is preacher curl so hard?

Author: Cade Feest  |  Last update: Friday, September 19, 2025

Because there is no room for the elbows to move back. In any biceps curls, other than preacher type, the elbows get back a little (even without knowing) when you lift. Not allowing that, makes it harder.

Why is preacher curl harder than dumbbell curl?

Preacher curl is harder due to bracing the arms and allowing no cheating also sitting. It's a very strict movement. Not a fan of the preacher myself as I don't feel much form it and it's a dangerous movement due to the stretch which is a common biceps tearing area.

Is 100 lb preacher curl good?

What is the significance of using 100 lbs for bicep curls in bodybuilding training? Preacher curls with 100 lbs are a great exercise for your biceps and keep your elbows locked in position while you perform curls. Curl 100 pounds for 10 reps. Body has no reason to grow if you only try 10.

Are preacher curls actually good?

The benefits of a preacher curl are excellent for isolating the biceps and hitting the muscles that help stabilize the arms, and they can be worked in Pump as well. Many, many of the variations we see in Pump are to enhance stabilizer muscles.

Should you avoid preacher curls?

Be careful with Preacher Curls. They put maximum weight on the Bicep insertion when it is at minimum mechanical advantage. This can cause this tendon to tear.

Cheat Reps vs Strict Reps (NEW Study)

Why do I struggle with preacher curls?

Mistake #3 : Armpits Too Far from the Arm Pad The mistake: Sitting too far back or not placing your armpits against the arm pad reduces stability and can lead to inefficient curls. The fix: Position your armpits firmly against the pad to maximize bicep activation and maintain control.

What are the cons of preacher curls?

Disadvantages
  • Limited Range of Motion: The rigidity can often limit your natural range of motion, which might hinder overall muscle development.
  • Risk of Strain: Poor setup or improper form can lead to tendon strain and bicep injury, especially when lifting heavy weights.

What is better than preacher curl?

Cable curls are an excellent alternative that utilizes a cable machine to provide consistent tension on the biceps throughout the movement, which can lead to better muscle activation and growth.

Will preacher curls tear your bicep?

Yes, the movement does have a reputation for causing bicep injuries, but when they are done correctly with proper form and reasonable weight, the risks are minimal.

What is the average EZ bar for preacher curls?

Preacher curl bars (EZ bars) can vary in weight but are typically between 6-14kg for the bar alone. Weight plates can be added to increase the load. Are Preacher Curls Better Than Standing Curls? Preacher curls are not necessarily better or worse than standing bicep curls, but both exercises offer different benefits.

What are the hardest curls?

Dumbbell Incline Bicep Curl

This is also one of the hardest dumbbell biceps exercises, which means that you'll only be able to lift so much. This position is also ideal for maximizing your range of motion while stretching out your biceps as much as possible.

How many sets of biceps per week?

Volume and Frequency

Research suggests that hitting a muscle group 2-3 times per week yields the best results for muscle growth. Therefore, you should aim for 12-20 sets per week for optimal biceps development.

How do I know if my bicep is torn?

Symptoms of bicep tear or strain
  1. Weakness in the shoulder.
  2. Bruising on the upper arm.
  3. Inability to move or rotate your arm.
  4. Change in the look of the bicep in the upper arm (it may look popped out)
  5. Muscle spasms.

Do preacher curls build big biceps?

If you're looking for a powerful exercise to blow up your biceps brachii muscles and take your arm exercises to the next level, Preacher Curls should be on your radar. There's going to be a huge focus on the perfect Preacher Curl setup, especially mastering that tricky starting position.

What are the disadvantages of preacher curls?

The Cons of Preacher Curls

One potential downside of this exercise is the limited range of motion the exercise offers. Because your arms rest on the preacher's bench, you're unable to fully extend your arms at the bottom of the curl, which means you're not engaging your biceps as much as you could be.

Are preacher curls worth doing?

Preacher curls are excellent for isolating the biceps and can help in achieving a more defined muscle. They are particularly useful if you're looking to focus on the peak of your bicep.

What is the most effective curl?

Arguably the most efficient exercise in yielding maximum bicep growth, a recent study by the American Council on Exercise found that the seated concentration curl yielded 97% bicep activity in contrast to EZ-bar curls (wide grip 75%; narrow grip, 71%), incline curls (70%), and preacher curls (69%).

What replaces preacher curls?

An alternative to preacher curls that will train the biceps in a shortened position is the spider curl — mind you that this movement will be focused in the shortened range of the rom as opposed to preacher curl that is hardest in the lengthened portion of the rom (referring to resistance curve, not shoulder position) # ...

Why is preacher curl difficult?

Preacher curls are most difficult at the bottom portion of the rep when your arms are fully stretched and there's little to no tension at the top portion of the rep when the arms are fully flexed. Bicep curls are the complete opposite.

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