Although the biceps curl is a basic exercise that only involves movement at the elbow joint, it has several variations that you can do to emphasize the biceps muscles differently. Twisting curls work the biceps through a forearm movement that regular curls neglect. Standing during the biceps curl exercise involves your core muscles more than the seated version.
Execution
Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing each other. Exhale and curl the weights toward your shoulders. Do not move your upper arms; keep them stationary throughout the movement. As you curl, turn your forearms so your palms face up at the top of the movement. Pause for a count and turn your palms back to the starting position as you lower the weights.
Twisting Significance
The main responsibility of your biceps muscles is to flex, or bend, your elbow. However, this is not the only movement the biceps perform. They also supinate your forearm. Supination is the external rotation of the forearm, which results in your palm facing up. With a twist added to a biceps curl, you contract your biceps muscle through two joint movements -- flexion and supination -- instead of just one.
Standing Significance
The biceps are the primary movers during a curling movement -- whether you are standing, seated or lying. However, standing incorporates more stabilizing muscles than a seated or lying position does. Your abdominal and lower back muscles contract to stabilize your torso as you move the weights. In a seated or lying position, you have a surface supporting your torso so your core muscles don't have to engage as much.
Considerations
You also can do the standing biceps curl without a twist or a twisting curl in a seated position. Mix and match body positions and curling techniques to keep your arm workouts fresh. If you stand on a balance disc or other unstable surface as you do the biceps curl exercise, you increase the challenge for your core muscles. The more unstable the surface, the more challenging it is for your core to stabilize your body during the movement.
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