Barbell curl or dumbbell curl?

[themilkybarkid]

which do you think is better in terms of building up biceps?

[TrevorLRoss]

which do you think is better in terms of building up biceps?

The one that you feel is working your Biceps the best is the best, but make sure you do work for the outer portion as well. More emphasis is placed on the outer head when you're curling with your elbows behind your torso (like an incline curl), or barbell/cable curling with a close grip. Also do some Brachioradialis work as well, (Hammer curls, Reverse curls). When your Brachioradialis is well developed it pushes your Bicep up giving it a better peak for lack of a better word.

[shaneee]

The one that you feel is working your Biceps the best is the best, but make sure you do work for the outer portion as well. More emphasis is placed on the outer head when you're curling with your elbows behind your torso (like an incline curl), or barbell/cable curling with a close grip. Also do some Brachioradialis work as well, (Hammer curls, Reverse curls). When your Brachioradialis is well developed it pushes your Bicep up giving it a better peak for lack of a better word.

you're thinking of the brachialis that pushes the bicep up and is targeted by hammer and reverse curls
brachioradialis is that big muscle in the forearm i think? lol

and @OP i think heavy barbell curls are the best bicep mass builder, cheating slightly to go beyond failure

[Dan101]

I like dumbells here purely from a symmetry stand point. One lagging arm is very noticeable so dumbells prevent my stronger side from doing more work. Why not mix it up and use both though OP? I like slow and controlled dumbell curls and then heavier barbell curls with a tiny swing to get the weight up on the later reps.

[TrevorLRoss]

you're thinking of the brachialis that pushes the bicep up and is targeted by hammer and reverse curls
brachioradialis is that big muscle in the forearm i think? lol

and @OP i think heavy barbell curls are the best bicep mass builder, cheating slightly to go beyond failure

Ahhh you're right. I screwed up on my anatomy, but both of those muscles do get worked with Hammer and Reverse curls none the less.

[jpladers40]

imho, it doesnt really matter as long as you pick one of em and stick with it. Pick the one thats the most fun to you, then after a few months switch it up if you plateau

[ivantang123]

with dumbbells you can do things like hammers, reverse, ect..