Shin splints ... but in the forearms on preacher curl

[TiGeR AK]

I get this amazingly strong, shooting pain in my forearms when i'm doing preacher curls..

the only way i can explain it is to liken it to shin splints.. but in the forearms.

during the actual curling set, it's okay.. but as soon as i set the bar down ... the moment where i loosen my grip from the ez curl bar... there is this really sharp, shooting pain down the underside of my forearms.

anybody know 1. why this happens? and 2. what can i do to prevent it?

[Alke]

I remember those!

I had them myself on BB curl when I first started lifting. I use to place my palms inverted against a wall to stretch my forearm out to alleviate some of the stress.

IMO I would try utilizing some other exercises and stay away from the preacher curls for a bit, and develop some strength in other variations. Im not sure of the science behind it, but I think your forearms are not used to the stress being applied to them, and they are reacting to it by causing those shooting pains = not a good pain and your body is telling you to do something else for a while.

[thetopdog]

Just stop preacher curls. I had the same thing. My forearms were in pain for 2 MONTHS even when i wasn't working out. Just switch to BB Curls with an EZ Curl bar, even those will hurt your forearms at first since they're still hurting from the preachers, but it will get better and eventually the pain will be gone. I'm totally pain free now

[TiGeR AK]

hmm.. this has happened to me in like 3 separate occasions..

the first time.. i sorta quit doing them cuz it hurt..

the second time.. i also quit doing them

this is in a span of about 2 or more years.

and now my 3rd time around .. i'm trying to stick with them because i love the way my biceps/brachials scream after some heavy preacher curls..

is there any way i can reduce the pain and somehow get around it?

[TiGeR AK]

anymore feedback on this please? i can't do preacher curl for more than like 3 or 4 consecutive sessions (usually 1 week or so apart) without getting this pain.

[siknstuff]

I know this isn't the same, but I started doing a variation on the preacher curls that I find puts a lot less strain on my elbows and forearms, but requires a specific piece of equipment, and it's a little hard to explain. If you have access to a preacher curl bench(?) that has a straight piece to put your upper body against, then you can use it backwards. i.e. standing up and leaning against the angled part that you usually rest your arms on, and letting your arms hang down against the flat piece that you usually push your upper body against.

[MrWebb78]

this type of pain has started many o' threads, it happened to me til i stuck with training my forearms consistantly, now i havent had the pain in forever.

[enerchi]

i think the pain may be from an imbalance of forearm muscles . are your bottom forearms way bigger than the top of your forearms because if so than that may be your problem do wrist curls with palms down.

[enerchi]

oh ya it could also be the other way around but most likely not most people i know only work one side of their forearms

[SquareHead]

Have you tired doing preacher curls with dbs? You could try that incase it's just the posisition you're arms are forced to be in by the bar. Just a stab in the dark though realy.

[Wikked1]

switch to using dumbbells on the preacher bench. It works.

[entrrt]

yeah,i get the same pain, too.

when using db's...do you use 1 at a time? or both?

i'll have to try that next time.

[SquareHead]

When Ive used them I use one at the time. Like point one side of my body at the bench at a time and alternate arms.

[theomen]

I've answered quite a few of these threads, and here's the sollution;

Take a week off, and when you come back make sure you CURL your wrist when curling. Curl them like you do when you flex your bicep. The injury is an aclimation of poor form. I had them researched it, and this is the answer.

[TiGeR AK]

Originally posted by theomen
I've answered quite a few of these threads, and here's the sollution;

Take a week off, and when you come back make sure you CURL your wrist when curling. Curl them like you do when you flex your bicep. The injury is an aclimation of poor form. I had them researched it, and this is the answer.

VERY INTERESTING. thanks for the tip.. i'll try it out this week.

any idea why not curling your wrists would cause such stress on the belly of the forearm?

[theomen]

I assume it's the shin splint idea, except in your forearms. Bad form over time has increased the muscle in one part and not the other.

[Anthony]

Isn't this tendonitis?

[Hatred]

I thought it was just me...HUH
I actually switched to a straight bar on the preacher bench it helps a lot. But I do not know if it alleviates it. I will see.

[Trent_Steel]

I read a post like this last month and curling my wrists has stopped alot of that forarm pain, I still get it a bit, but I aint complaining cos its hardly anything anymore.