Subject: Curl in the squat rack...(here's why)...
This is literally one of the ONLY times I'll tell you that you have to curl in the squat rack...I give you special permission (it's necessary for this exercise).
This combination exercise focuses on time under tension (which is key for muscle growth), using a standing barbell curl (isolation exercise) alternated with a bicep-focused chin-up (compound exercise).
The trick is, you're going to be alternating reps of each exercise back and forth, causing activation of a different set of fibers on each rep, with a focus on maintaining tension in the biceps through the entire set.
This alternating rep strategy is what I call an "In Set Superset"...and it works GREAT for building mass, especially when used with a focus on muscle tension.
Set up the J hooks in the rack at about shoulder height and put a fairly light to moderate weight on the bar. The temptation with bicep training is to always go too heavy. This very easily can cause you to lose tension in the muscle as you use momentum to complete the rep.
Go light and focus on a hard contraction in the biceps.
When you come to the top of the rep, bring the bar back and set it on the hooks. This is the toughest part to maintain tension in the biceps so be sure and focus on that while you're transitioning.
Once the bar is on the hooks, take your feet off the ground and lower yourself down. If you're not strong enough to full chins, no problem...just keep your feet on the ground and use your legs to help spot yourself as much as is necessary.
Come back up, keep your torso vertical and keep your face close to the bar. This will focus the load on the biceps.
When you come to the top, set your feet back down and do another rep of the barbell curl.
Keep going in this fashion, alternating reps of both exercises.
Perform as many reps as you can, until you get close to failure on one or both of the exercise. Your biceps will have a MONSTER pump at this point. The continuous tension in the biceps prevents blood from flowing out of the area.
This is similar in concept to Occlusion Training, where you tie a band or wrap around your upper arm to physically prevent blood from flowing out...the idea of which is to trap waste products of muscle contraction in the area. This, in turn, is known to produce a significant anabolic response in the local muscle tissue.
In this exercise, you're achieving that goal and you're doing it with a heavier, compound exercise for the biceps, for greater growth stimulation.
But yes...it does require you to curl in the squat rack...there's no helping that.
I've got the video of this exercise posted on my YouTube channel here...
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The 24-Hour Testosterone Fix
If you missed this yesterday, I got special permission from Anthony Alayon, author of the "24-Hour Testosterone Fix" to repost this checklist for you (taken directly from the book).
This is a great checklist of things you can do, nutritionally and behaviorally, to make a positive impact on your testosterone levels.
The book itself covers all of these things and more in a LOT more detail (including why they work)...these are a few simple tips you can follow to get a boost.
Quick side note, when you pick up the "Testosterone Fix" book, you'll also get a free 14-day trial in the Critical Bench Vault...a site packed with excellent mass and strength training information. You can very easily cancel this at any time if you're not interested...just wanted to let you know up front.
In the meantime, start putting these testosterone-improving tips to work...they're very easy to incorporate into your routine and they can make a big different in how you feel and the results you get with your training.
Nick Nilsson
The "Mad Scientist of Muscle"