bicep dumbell curls- trouble with proper form

[Narya]

well to start off, ive been doing these for months now and im up to about a max of 20 lbs 30 straight reps each arm. (i only regularly do 20 lbs 20 reps twice for each arm within 10 mins)

My problem is simple: after im done curls with the right arm, i begin to start with the left but i sometimes end up cramping my left shoulder and it gets a sharp pain for a few seconds. i feel like this is because i havent stretched it enough perhaps, or the dumbell is off balance in my hand. what kinda of stretching should i do before curls?

[wil]

Instead of curling all the reps with one arm and then switching, try using a dumbbell in each hand and alternating... or even curling them together.

[A1food4U]

Try preacher curls or a variation.

This will anchor your body and isolate the biceps. if the shoulder pain persists have it looked at. And take wil's advice, alternate....

[torofuerte]

Pain on the shoulders because of bicep curls? That points more to a muscular imbalance more than anything, or improper form (since you shouldn't be using your shoulders at all for a strict bicep curl.)

What do you do besides bicep curls? Do you do anything for your triceps? For your shoulders? If you don't do anything for your triceps and shoulders, that's probably the culprit with the pain you are experiencing.

I would actually suggest you stop doing bicep curls for a while and concentrate on push ups on a medicine ball, say 2-3 sets (don't go to failure on all sets) every other day for two weeks. Then switch to regular push ups and bent-over rows every other day for two more weeks.

Then start your bicep work again, but always including tricep/shoulder work (specially on an stability ball). The instability helps your body recruit the antagonistics. It won't get you to be stronger for pushing/pressing, but it will take care of your pain due to muscular imbalances and instability.

[Narya]

Originally Posted by torofuerte

Pain on the shoulders because of bicep curls? That points more to a muscular imbalance more than anything, or improper form (since you shouldn't be using your shoulders at all for a strict bicep curl.)

What do you do besides bicep curls? Do you do anything for your triceps? For your shoulders? If you don't do anything for your triceps and shoulders, that's probably the culprit with the pain you are experiencing.

I would actually suggest you stop doing bicep curls for a while and concentrate on push ups on a medicine ball, say 2-3 sets (don't go to failure on all sets) every other day for two weeks. Then switch to regular push ups and bent-over rows every other day for two more weeks.

Then start your bicep work again, but always including tricep/shoulder work (specially on an stability ball). The instability helps your body recruit the antagonistics. It won't get you to be stronger for pushing/pressing, but it will take care of your pain due to muscular imbalances and instability.

my shoulders and triceps are fine i believe; i do push ups and bench presses regularly.

@wil

wouldn't alternating reduce the workout? i mean id think doing 20 straight are much more difficult then having each arm break for a second. It probably would be a little cardio though

im want to know exactly how my shoulders could possible get involved in a curl; wouldnt this show the incorrect form i was using so i could identify the problem? Even though i had weak shoulders i want to understand how they could be affected.

[tooncesthecat]

The biceps inserts into the shoulder so it is possible for the tension to be causing some pain although this is not normal.

Toro had some good advice about strengthening the surrounding muscles. You should probably add some rotator cuff exercises.
Rotator Cuff Strengthening Exercises

[Narya]

thx ill look into it