Issues with Bi's

[Anabolic12]

I have a question for anyone that is will to answer, lol. Over the past 12 months or so I feel that my biceps have not been keeping up with the rest of my overall body gains. I feel like I have an issue that I cannot seem to resolve. During my bicep workout before I’m through with any set, or before I feel that my bicep has been exhausted, an area of my arms starts hurting, now when I say hurting I mean, more so that it feels like it’s getting the bulk of the exercise. This area is where the forearm meets the bicep. If you have your arm out, palm up, the area directly above the elbow. This area just kills me to the point where sometimes I almost can’t finish a set. This happens to me regardless of what bicep exercise I do. It doesn’t bother me on any other exercise. I’ve tried my best to try every technique there is to avoid the issue, but nothing seems to be working. This problem especially exists on the preacher curl. But again, it’s with everyone of my exercise for biceps (standing straight bar, standing ez bar, preacher curl, cable curls, standing and seated one arm curls. And by the way, this is in both my arms. I know that I can make it through the exercises, but I really don’t feel that I’m getting the best workout or isolation to my bi’s.

I have been to the doctors to see if anything has been pulled in my arms, etc. They couldn’t find any problems. It doesn’t hinder me in anyway during normal activities either.

Any suggestions?

[Twistdenigma]

What does your typical arm workout look like? Perhaps that will shed some light on the problem.

[Anabolic12]

I try and mix my routine up a little every 2 to 2.5 months. Below are my different variations. Sometimes I do supersets, sometimes I don’t. Currently I’m using the first opinion below once a week.
Barbell bicep curl / Seated dumbbell curl on incline bench superset
6 sets. 10 reps on barbell and 6-failure reps bench curl
EZ bar bicep barbell preacher curl - 2 x 6-8 reps, 2 x 4-6 reps (heavy weights!)
Single arm cable bicep curl - 3 x 8-10 reps
Dumbbell concentration curl - 3 x 8 reps
Standing dumbbell hammer curl - 3 x 10
Reverse barbell curl - 3 x 10 reps

Below would be a change up for me: Also, I just put 10 reps, but that is according to the day. Sometimes I do a drop down rep variation per set: ex. 3 x 10, 3x 8, 3x6 and continue to add weight.

Barbell bicep curl - 3 x 10 reps
Seated dumbbell curl on incline bench - 3 x 8 reps
Barbell preacher curl - 3 x 10 reps
Two arm cable curl - 3 x 10 reps

After I’ve made another change in my routine I will mix and match these according to what I have done in the past.

[Avid Learner]

I think that's too many sets. For me i know a lot of my bicep work gets done in compound lifts, then I finish them off, but I don't know if you need 12 work sets for bis.

[Anabolic12]

Currently it could be to many sets, but I have the same issue it I only do two sets of some of the exercises below, in the event I do back on the same day, but if I'm doing back exercises, like cable rows it doesnt bother me.

[g3cko]

i thought this thread was about bi sexual women. ill comment seriously after i get back from the gym.

[Onerepmaximum]

I agree with AL, that is alot of volume.

I have pain in my lower bicep, just above the elbow. It is from the muscle being so pumped that it just hurts. Is that what you are describing?

[g3cko]

I agree with the too many sets theory as well. It must take you over an hour to do all that work.

[Anabolic12]

G3CK0 - I am only using these routine for now. I like to try and mix things up from time to time to shock the muscle. But this isn’t an all the time thing. I really don’t feel that I am over training what so ever. Even if I just to two exercises and call it a day I still have the same problem. I know it’s hard not to look at the routine, but like I stated above, even before I moved on to new routines I still had the same problem. Even with something as simple as 3 set standing barbell curls, 3 set preacher, 3 sets cable.

Onerepmaximum- I do understand your comment and you are very close to what I am describing as a matter of fact your might be dead on, but the problem still lies with the fact that I cant get a pump in my bi's before this happens. The area that we are discussing is where someone would draw blood from you. If this is the problem I need to find a way to avoid that pump until after I have exhausted my bi's..... Do you see what I'm saying?

Thanks for the help

[Twistdenigma]

Originally Posted by Avid Learner

I think that's too many sets. For me i know a lot of my bicep work gets done in compound lifts, then I finish them off, but I don't know if you need 12 work sets for bis.

I think 12 is too many also, especially if you train them on back day.