Too much weight lifting...

[Topic]

Heres the scenario:

 

I do 4 sets of 10 curls for my bicepts with a 55 pound weight. after i finish each set and i drop the weight down to rest a few sec i realize that the bones in my arms are killing me, i am only 125 - 130 pounds heavy so do you think this is too much for me, im getting kind of scared cuz im 18 and im only like 5' 8'', will this stun my growth by any chance? Should i take it easy on the weights? Thanks

[WolverineGuy]

Jesus man, I only do 3 sets of 10 with 35 lbs weights. Yes, drop the weight, a LOT. Just so you know, I'm 5'10" and 190 lbs...and I'd like to think that I'm pretty muscular. You could cause some serious damage on your biceps with that. Remember, they are a small muscle group...biceps tire out easily, and there's no point in overdoing it that much. Hope that helps.

[Thuggish]

youre old enough to not worry about stunting your growth. if your bones are hurting, it could be one of several things. if youve just started, your bones could simply not be used to it- similar to getting shinsplints. there could be other problems a doctor would have to tell you about, but i bet its that. for now id do less sets and see if that helps, if not drop the weight a little and just do it untill your bones are ready. as for the weight, 55lbs is not a whole lot to curl, though its not bad at your weight. far as wolverine goes, if youre 190lbs and muscular, 35lbs is a warmup weight to be curling, at the same size and build (i guess) i go from 80-100 and im not THAT buff (yet..). are you talking about dumbells in each hand at 35lbs a piece, or a barbell of 35lbs?

[WolverineGuy]

I'm talking 55 lbs dumbells each arm...I don't use barbells, so that didn't even occur to me. My bad. However, I'm not an advocate for big weight because most people do NOT use proper form, which is essential for lifting without injury

[TheDevilAside]

yeah, I can't really tell you much unless you tell us if you're using dumbbells (55lbs on each arm) or a barbell. I'm assuming you're doing barbells.. because, man, you need to be pretty strong to do 10x4 curls with a 55 dumbbell on each hand.. and you said you weigh around 130 lbs? =-0

[Topic]

Yea im using barbells, i started out with 35lb but im skinny with alot of cuts so i wanted to get more buff and i just increased the weight to 55lb barbells. Thanks for everybodys help

[White Warlock]

WolverineGuy makes a very valid point. The weight of the barbell is not even remotely important in comparison to proper form. Don't go for weight, go for burn. What you're feeling doesn't sound like burn and i'm in agreement with Thuggish that it sounds like you're injuring the adhesion of your muscles to your bones (i.e., what happens in shinsplints), rather than building your muscle strength. Aim for a lighter weight, focus on proper form, and you'll get a much healthier burn.

[Topic]

Thanks for all of the tips, im definately going to take your tips

[Rich67]

Instead of doing straight curls with heavy weight, try these variations:

 

1) Use lighter dumbbells, and lie on an incline bench (about 60-45 degrees). Put the arms all the way down, keep your back flat to the bench, head back, and curl the weight up.

 

2) Using dumbbells, stand with both arms out to your sides, palms facing away from you. Curl the weights up to your shoulders, keeping your upper arms tight against your sides and keeping the palms facing out. (Open arm curls).

 

3) Use and EZ curl bar and do preacher curls.

 

If your "bones" hurt, and not your muscles, you are lifting more weight than your ligaments and tendons can handle, and you're straining them. You are young, and probably jumping into heavy weight too fast. Keep in mind, you have to train your tendons and ligaments to handle the extra weight too, and they lag behind muscles.Go light, concentrate on GOOD FORM, and work the weight up S-L-O-W-L-Y. It's not worth pulling muscles or getting injured just so you can look like the tough guy in the gym. Because then you'll get skinny lying around at home nursing yourself back to health. Let the other boneheads at the gym do it. You see them: the guys who are in there 6 days a week, benching the same heavy weight, curling the same heavy weight...they never seem to really get bigger, do they? The true gym rat is the guy who goes in 3-4 times a week, but gets the compliments like "hey man, you're getting big", or "are you working out? Losing weight?" etc.

[Thuggish]

no no no... you want to gain size, get a barbell, do 4-5 sets of 6-8 reps, as heavy as you can go WITHOUT losing good form. barbells get size, dont let people tell you otherwise. 6-8 reps is optimum for getting size, dont let people tell you otherwise.