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c3bodybuilding
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Today was tri, bi and forearm day, Gironda style. One of the exercises was the dreaded drag curl. They give a burn unlike anything else. Anyone else have a love/hate relationship with this exercise? 
Drag curls
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Fina Junkie
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C3bodybuilding said:Today was tri, bi and forearm day, Gironda style. One of the exercises was the dreaded drag curl. They give a burn unlike anything else. Anyone else have a love/hate relationship with this exercise?
Could you explain the drag curl ?
wutangnomo
New member
Yes please explain the drag curl. I have probably seen/done this exercise before, just don't know all the names.
The drag curl is when you curl the bar straight up , "dragging" it against the front of your body as you go. In this way, you can't cheat, and the elbows remain back which disengages any assitance from the front delts, making it "all biceps." They're tougher than regular curls and where you might be able to do 10 reps, you'll probably only get 7 or 8, making you feel like a sissy wuss. (One of the reasons people don't like them).
c3bodybuilding
New member
Yep Nelson explained it right, including the part about them making you feel like a wuss. When I first did these, I felt like a wimp. My curl went down at least 30-40lbs, and the next day my biceps felt like they were on fire.
It's one of my favorite bi exercises. Along with two others that are talked about in Nelson's first book. I won't get into those, but I will say they make the price of the book alone worth it (along with all the other goodies you can learn from it).
It's one of my favorite bi exercises. Along with two others that are talked about in Nelson's first book. I won't get into those, but I will say they make the price of the book alone worth it (along with all the other goodies you can learn from it).
GoldenDelicious
New member
drag curls. you know, the ones people do during mardi gras 
thats an interesting exercise though...next time...
thats an interesting exercise though...next time...
Sonja Blue
New member
Drag curls? Do you also do "flying motion"? Chris you tickle me to death with those old school exercises. 
c3bodybuilding
New member
G, it's results that matter, and these are the things that work. Maybe at lifestyles crappy, opps I meant family fitness they do things different.
c3bodybuilding
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Tonight is Back/pecs/delts. It's going to be good. Today I'm going for more reps with the neck press, and the gironda dip. Everything else I'm going to try and add a little more weight to the bar.
Silent Method
New member
First, please note that this is not an antagonism for the hell of it. This is simply a bit of an analysis of the exercise in brief comparison to other barbell curls.
During "drag curls" as described, hyperextension must occur at the shoulder joint (elbow moves rearward in relation to the torso). Thus, the posterior deltoid will experience a primarily involvement and the upper trapezius as well as some lesser scapular muscles will experience synergistic involvement. The greater the ROM at the elbow joint (i.e. the greater ROM through which you work your biceps), the greater the involvement of the shoulder hyperextensors, and thus the greater the assistance given to your elbow flexors in moving the weight vertically.
Now it is quite true that we are stronger in shoulder flexion ("cheating" motion where the elbow moves foreword of the torso) than in shoulder hyperextension (rearward movement of elbow movement during "drag curls"). However, the differentiation in strength between shoulder flexion versus hyperextension is not a direct correlate in regard to how much we are "cheating" the elbow flexors.
There are many factors to consider here. One is the fact that while performing the curl with shoulder hyperextension, far less tension can be generated in the biceps brachii than if the shoulder simply remained extended the entire curl (elbow remains stationary at the hip). In addition, with the elbow moving rearward (drag curls) or foreword, resistance in opposition to the elbow flexors is proportionately lessened.
In as much as shoulder flexion during barbell curls is cheating, drag curls are cheating as well. When targeting the elbow flexors for maximum recruitment and tension with a barbell curl, a fixed shoulder extension (not hyperextension) is superior to either shoulder flexion or hyperextension.
During "drag curls" as described, hyperextension must occur at the shoulder joint (elbow moves rearward in relation to the torso). Thus, the posterior deltoid will experience a primarily involvement and the upper trapezius as well as some lesser scapular muscles will experience synergistic involvement. The greater the ROM at the elbow joint (i.e. the greater ROM through which you work your biceps), the greater the involvement of the shoulder hyperextensors, and thus the greater the assistance given to your elbow flexors in moving the weight vertically.
Now it is quite true that we are stronger in shoulder flexion ("cheating" motion where the elbow moves foreword of the torso) than in shoulder hyperextension (rearward movement of elbow movement during "drag curls"). However, the differentiation in strength between shoulder flexion versus hyperextension is not a direct correlate in regard to how much we are "cheating" the elbow flexors.
There are many factors to consider here. One is the fact that while performing the curl with shoulder hyperextension, far less tension can be generated in the biceps brachii than if the shoulder simply remained extended the entire curl (elbow remains stationary at the hip). In addition, with the elbow moving rearward (drag curls) or foreword, resistance in opposition to the elbow flexors is proportionately lessened.
In as much as shoulder flexion during barbell curls is cheating, drag curls are cheating as well. When targeting the elbow flexors for maximum recruitment and tension with a barbell curl, a fixed shoulder extension (not hyperextension) is superior to either shoulder flexion or hyperextension.
D
Deleted member 33117
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Exactally, and I've come to the same conclusion. I've added a considerable amount of size to my bicepts in the last year by simply making sure I move nothing but my elbow joint while doing barbell curls (this means raising the bar no higher than one's nipples).Silent Method said:
That's were technique comes in. When you get the feel of this movement right, the shoulder should actually be very relaxed. Contracting the biceps at the top of the movement increses the effectiveness but it's tough.
Bottom line; if it hits the biceps more, it hits them more. I also believe if any movement doesn't feel right, don't do it. But as they say, don't knock it till you try it.
Bottom line; if it hits the biceps more, it hits them more. I also believe if any movement doesn't feel right, don't do it. But as they say, don't knock it till you try it.
Silent Method
New member
I'm saying the movement limits elbow flexors recruitment and maximum tension. Thus, the exercise feels harder - but is not "hitting the biceps more."
Silent Method
New member
I need to clarify my above statement.
The drag curl will actually increase the tension generated in the elbow flexors brachialis and brachioradialis as shoulder hyperextension will limit the tension potential of the biceps brachii. If full elbow ROM is to be used, tension will be further reduced in the elbow flexors as shoulder hyperextension aids in overcoming the inertia of the barbell.
Again, if you wish to place more emphasis on the biceps with a barbell curl, a fixed shoulder extension is superior to the shoulder hyperextension of the drag curl.
If you like doing drag curls, that's fine. Taking some focus off the biceps brachii and increasing the focus on the brachialis is a perfectly legitimate variation. Lets just be clear about what's really going on when we do the exercise.
The drag curl will actually increase the tension generated in the elbow flexors brachialis and brachioradialis as shoulder hyperextension will limit the tension potential of the biceps brachii. If full elbow ROM is to be used, tension will be further reduced in the elbow flexors as shoulder hyperextension aids in overcoming the inertia of the barbell.
Again, if you wish to place more emphasis on the biceps with a barbell curl, a fixed shoulder extension is superior to the shoulder hyperextension of the drag curl.
If you like doing drag curls, that's fine. Taking some focus off the biceps brachii and increasing the focus on the brachialis is a perfectly legitimate variation. Lets just be clear about what's really going on when we do the exercise.
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