Reactive Training Systems

MikeGagne · Senior Member

Is it necessary for a powerlifter to train biceps?

JordanLinteris · Senior Member

It's all about the bicep veins on the beach, brother.

Mike Tuchscherer · Guru

Biceps can help stabilize the bench, which is probably what he was referring to.

I don't thing bicep training is necessary for powerlifters unless there is some other circumstances that change things. From what I have seen/heard/read, bicep tears (and muscle tears in general) can come from a combination of factors, but it's usually not overwork/underwork of the muscle in question.

harpep · Newbie

In terms of:

I. Doing things like curls in order to have a direct and positive carryover to the competition lifts?

I'd say NO and if it does, it's negligible.

II. Doing more direct biceps work (like curls or chins/pullup variations that emphasize them) from a more holistic perspective, avoiding muscle inbalances, injury preventing and creating a solid physical base?

I'd say YES why not, although it absolutely shouldn't be high on the priority list.
You can do them every now and then as part of your arsenal of accesory exerices.

Dano · Veteran Member

I never understood why people think doing high-rep dumbbell/barbell work for the biceps could prevent a tear thats due to excess arm-bend with a majorly heavy deadlift. Look at how often WSM contestants tear biceps. You know those guys train their arms heavy and it still happens. Anyway, moral of the story: any excuse to train the gunz. If you feel like it, do it. If not, no worry.

Date: Jun 9, 2009

Jokes aside, the only reason I train biceps is to fill out my bench shirt, not to prevent injury. I have very long arms that might measure large flexed, but are not large in a relaxed position due to the length of the muscle bellies. While pressing, the sleeves on my bench shirt would move around. I bought it off of a guy with the same dimensions, he just has shorter arms. Biceps are also important for wearing tight shirts to the bar. I sometimes tie my upper biceps off with ribbon like the ultimate warrior. Vascularity is key when wearing tight clothes.

MikeGagne · Senior Member

Thanks you all for the advice. Much appreciated. Jordan that was funny how you brought up the Ultimate Warrior. I remember watching him as a little kid. His interviews were way out there. I could never understand what he was babbling about. I remember I was pissed when he beat Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 6. Anyway I think I'll train biceps when I can fit it in but I wont go out of my way to make sure I train them.

Date: Jun 9, 2009

I do them for prehab purposes, mostly hammer curls, because if I don't, I get pretty severe tendonitis in the bicep/forearm. Also, a bigger muscle generally has better leverages so increasing the size of your GUNZZZZZ will probably have a positive effect on your bench press. But for the sake of powerlifters everywhere, DO NOT TURN ONE OF YOUR TRAINING DAYS INTO AN "ARM" DAY. I had a training partner that did this, he had a decent bench but his squat and pull slid back to nothing...

BobW · Senior Member

Dano wrote:

I never understood why people think doing high-rep dumbbell/barbell work for the biceps could prevent a tear thats due to excess arm-bend with a majorly heavy deadlift. Look at how often WSM contestants tear biceps. You know those guys train their arms heavy and it still happens. Anyway, moral of the story: any excuse to train the gunz. If you feel like it, do it. If not, no worry.

Some do, some don't. Some feel that they get enough bicep work from the implement work.

(At least, that's what even the top competitors claim. Seems to be split.)

In any case, you're right that the reason for all the bicep tears is compromised technique on events. Tires are the biggest culprit.

DaneKelley · Veteran Member

from a strongman stand point and a constant fear of tearing a bicep i would say yes you should train them the stronger they are the harder it will be for them to tear. I my sport strong arms can win a contest. stones is more arm stregth than back in my opinion anything arm over arm or where you have to carry something wierd fir a distance is arm strength related. from a powerlifting stand point i think its more important to watch your set up. most bicep tear happen because the arm was straight at the beggining of the pull

MikeGagne · Senior Member

I dont think the Westside Barbell guys do biceps either. I dont remember seeing bicep curls or any bicep exercises on any of their dvds. Does anybody know if thats true, that the Westsiders dont do biceps? I dont remember any of Louie's articles talking about biceps either.

BobW · Senior Member

Mike, I just asked one of the guys who trains with Chuck V (who has his own gym now, but he's basically Westside). Heavy hammer curls every couple weeks, light hammer curls prior to benching to warm up.

MikeGagne · Senior Member

Thanks Bob. Thanks for the info. Vogelpohl is one of my favorite powerlifters btw. I'll have to try some heavy hammer curls.