3 Beginner Biceps Curl Workout Mistakes to Avoid for Arm Training

From the first moment most gym rats hoist a dumbbell, their most earnest hope is that sooner than later, they’ll reach the point that a set of cannonball biceps will pop out of their T-shirt.

But most trainees quickly learn that growing a formidable set of guns is more of a journey than a quick trip, and they’ll get to their end point sooner if they dial-in on proper technique when they take on dumbbell biceps curls. And the reality, according to Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is that for most lifters, the first foray into biceps curls is filled with a host of little mistakes—a combination of poor form and mechanics—that can sabotage early gains and keep them from the arm pump they chase.

Thankfully, most of these problems are easy to address. Let’s fix some of the most common mistakes that may be derailing you biceps routine.

3 Beginner’s Biceps Curl Mistakes to Avoid

Biceps Building Mistake 1: Too Much Shoulder Involvement

The temptation to shift the shoulders to help propel the movement increases with every rep during a set of biceps curls, especially when you increase load or begin to fatigue. The result: Less emphasis is put on your biceps.

The Solution: A quick tweak to avoid this mistake is to focus on pinning your elbows to your sides and only moving at the elbow joint. This rule applies to any type of curl—barbells, dumbbells, cables, you name it—since the goal of the movement is to isolate the biceps muscle. You may not eliminate shoulder intervention with every single rep (you will eventually fall to fatigue), but keeping those elbows tight will allow your biceps to do the work for the overwhelming majority of reps.

Biceps Building Mistake 2: Too Much Wrist Flexion

To create the most challenge for our biceps, you’ll want to keep your wrists in a nice, neutral position each time we curl.

However, the moment wrist flexion enters the curl—when you bend the wrist to bring your hand in toward your body—two things happen that you don’t want: First, you’ll use the wrist and forearm muscles to start the curl keeps the stress off our biceps. Second, flexing the wrists shortens the lever the biceps need to work with, making the curl easier and taking away some of the stimulus you want to build the pump.

The Solution: Keep a neutral wrist position throughout the movement. The only curl that should happen should be at your elbow joint, not at your wrist.

Biceps Building Mistake 3: Lazy Supination

Our biceps actually have two functions: bending at the elbow, and supination, or turning the palm upwards. The goal is for both functions to be performed efficiently with each rep, that you can really emphasize the muscle squeeze.

The Solution: Make sure your palms are shifting to the ceiling early in each curl rep. If you’re not doing that, then chances are you’re not getting the most out of your curl.