What turns out to be a small, yet annoying pain in your joint, can quickly turn into something much more debilitating. At first, you just think it might be a pulled muscle. Maybe I did a bit too much weight? But the intermediate to advanced bodybuilder knows what muscle soreness feels like after a workout. This isn't it. But there is a potential solution.
My biceps routine, which was progressing quite nicely, turned into a non-existent routine (curling a 30lb dumbbell was impossible) after I was "officially" diagnosed with acute Tendonitis in my right arm (just below the elbow joint). The doctor said that this particular Tendonitis doesn't heal. It can get less painful but the micro tears and damage are permanent. As usual, the recommendation was to 1) quit whatever aggravates it 2) use a cream that gives some heat to the area.
Rather the follow rule #1, because if you are a hardcore bodybuilder, just quitting the exercise isn't how this injury happened in the first place. I found something that worked. I didn't want to quit doing bicep curls. Bicep curls are one of the most recommended exercises for building mass. It's a simple, basic movement that works.
I did stop doing biceps movements until the pain subsided. Once the pain was significantly less, I decided to adjust my form, have a spotter assist on certain bicep exercises and used a topical cream (Biofreeze by AST). I changed the movement to go strict on any and all bicep exercises. My arms are now tight to the sides with constant tension on the muscle. Using a spotter for dumbbell bicep curls helped me eliminate the natural tendency to flare out the arms to get that weight to the completion phase of the exercise. Heavy weight with the arms slightly out tends to put a lot of pressure on that tendon.
Taking a break from the exercises allowed me to heal enough to think rationally about the adjustments I needed to make in my routine. Going back to strict form, using a topical (heat) cream and having a spotter assist with a few of the bicep movements has all but eliminated (in a medical sense) my Tendonitis . I suffer no more pain from bicep movements because of these modifications.
About The Author
Marc David has a degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento State, a 16 year history of non-competitive bodybuilding and is the owner of Freedomfly -the fitness network! For free fitness tools, discount supplements, fitness consultation, and workout routines, visit http://www.freedomfly.net
The crunch exercise is the backbone of abdominal training. It... Read More
The main shoulder muscles that concern bodybuilders are the deltoids... Read More
The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More
Wouldn't it be great if you could get rid of... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
In an earlier article we concluded that muscles must be... Read More
Are you ready to live a more powerful life by... Read More
Six minutes out of your day. All you need is... Read More
Q: I've heard you mention that you don't need tons... Read More
Would you like to know how to get more out... Read More
Great weight loss techniques are completely worthless.That's a true statement... Read More
You have two main windows of opportunity when your training.... Read More
You've decided to join a gym, but you're not sure... Read More
Every bodybuilder and weight trainer will have his or her... Read More
One of the most common fitness questions this time of... Read More
The outer triceps is an awesome muscle. It sticks out... Read More
Most people make an excuse that they don't have time... Read More
Efforts to expand the limits of human strength and endurance... Read More
Since the early days of physical culture, modern man has... Read More
Packing on Muscle mass involves a lot of dedication and... Read More
As experts says, "NO PAIN, NO GAIN." This specially applies... Read More
The aim for beginners to weight training must be to... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
It's week three, and you've already learned the importance of... Read More
Another critical factor to be aware of, is the efficient... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
Welcome to article number 2 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More
Always try to "trick" your muscles into growth. You never... Read More
When it comes to exercise, resistance training is often overlooked.... Read More
What helps make comedy also builds muscle?This is key to... Read More
Are you a Baby Boomer? If you were born between... Read More
Traditional strength training consists of performing one to three (or... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
It's a very simple training system. Consisting of using your... Read More
One of the biggest difficulties facing bodybuilders is how can... Read More
L-glutamine remains the supplement of choice for many bodybuilders. It... Read More
With the return of warm weather in the spring, thoughts... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
Whenever I go to the gym and tell a friend... Read More
Try asking people how to gain weight and you'll likely... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
Dumbbells are integral to a long term fitness and personal... Read More
At first glance, this product manual's title (Burn the Fat,... Read More
Steroid prohormones such as androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have become... Read More
The foolish idea that 'more is better' when it comes... Read More
Do you want a flat stomach? I don't know a... Read More
This has got to be the biggest controversy in modern... Read More
Until I started following a routine to eat, my gains... Read More
Building muscle mass with a power cycle. Desperate for pounds... Read More
Resistance is NOT futile! When it comes to changing your... Read More
You might sometimes wonder whether your dedication and sacrifice will... Read More
When considering your options as a personal trainer, one of... Read More
So the Olympics are almost upon us. While you have... Read More
When you think about gaining muscle, stretching is probably not... Read More
Other articles in this series looked at a number of... Read More
By now you've made significant progress in your bodybuilding career.... Read More
There seems to be much confusion amongst trainers and trainees... Read More
Ask any woman what is the most attractive part of... Read More
Two of the nine pivot points - those stunning body... Read More
Six minutes out of your day. All you need is... Read More
Traditional strength training consists of performing one to three (or... Read More
Yep, there are more than ones body types. I'm sure... Read More
As you probably remember the last time you looked at... Read More
First off I want to mention that, for most people,... Read More
Dumbbell workouts have been around for many years, especially as... Read More
Another key secret is your exercise form. Perfect form is... Read More
Muscle Building & Bodybuilding |