Q - I'm a runner and I recently started weight training. I was wondering if I should include arm exercises like bicep curls. What do you think Coach?
A - First of all, I'm glad you've decided to incorporate weight training in to your program- the stronger you are everywhere, the better, including the arms.
Sure, you can do bicep curls, and that will make that victorious flexed arm pose that much more impressive. The bicep is the bulky muscle that is traditionally flexed and most obviously displayed when one flexes their arm, particularly noticeable when the hand is facing towards the shoulder to which it is being pulled.
For clarification, here's a pic showing off my bicep ;)
A - First of all, I'm glad you've decided to incorporate weight training in to your program- the stronger you are everywhere, the better, including the arms.
Sure, you can do bicep curls, and that will make that victorious flexed arm pose that much more impressive. The bicep is the bulky muscle that is traditionally flexed and most obviously displayed when one flexes their arm, particularly noticeable when the hand is facing towards the shoulder to which it is being pulled.
For clarification, here's a pic showing off my bicep ;)
Doing the popular bicep curl exercise with a barbell addresses this muscle.
However, when you run, your arms are carried in a bent-at-the-elbow fashion with the forearm tilted so that the hands are actually facing each other with the thumbs on top. When the arm is held in this position, the bend (or flexed state) at the elbow is being most significantly handled by the brachioradialis muscle which is the upper ridge of muscle of the forearm.
However, when you run, your arms are carried in a bent-at-the-elbow fashion with the forearm tilted so that the hands are actually facing each other with the thumbs on top. When the arm is held in this position, the bend (or flexed state) at the elbow is being most significantly handled by the brachioradialis muscle which is the upper ridge of muscle of the forearm.
If you put your hand in the running position underneath a table and apply an upwards force, you will feel and see the brachioradialis flex.
So, to target this muscle, I highly recommend you include hammer curls, as shown in the pictures below taken from that great site ExRx.net. You can see an animation of this exercise here.
Flex on.
So, to target this muscle, I highly recommend you include hammer curls, as shown in the pictures below taken from that great site ExRx.net. You can see an animation of this exercise here.
Flex on.
(Above pictures used with permission by ExRx.net 2012)
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