BB curl, a compound ex?

[igunick]

I've got this discussion on another forum (it's in dutch so I can't direct you there) and this guy is convinced that BB curls are a compound exercise, he isn't right, is he?
His arguments are that the biceps is attached to the shoulder and that the biceps helps in shoulderflexion and abduction. So if you would want to optimize the BB curl, you should also move your shoulderjoint, thus making it a compound exercise.
Also, the wrist joints is also used because if you don't keep them tight your wrist won't be able to hold the weight.

[Cynic]

I've always been told a compound involves two or more joint movements, working multiple muscles.

Unless he's throwing back to assist the lift, it's an isolation exercise.

[karky]

yeah, ur suppose to keep your shoulders still. he is probobly doing the "clean curl" which i call it, like Cynic said, throwing your back.

[Jason B]

Depends on your definition of 'compound exercise.' Since it's impossible to isolate a muscle, you could consider every exercise compound if it's just involving multiple muscles. I prefer to use cynic's definition, if it involves two or more joints moving, it's compound, but there is a gray area there. I'd consider BB curls not to be compound, the shoulder joint should not move. Cheat curls (which I think are pretty much only useful for strongman competitiors) are compound however.

[Ogedei]

I think BB curl is the epitome of an isolation movement.

Yeah not a compound.

Og.

[Lost Dog]

Maybe he means it's a confounded exercise? Which it certainly can be...

[JoshDunn]

The biceps do cross the elbow and shoulder. However a bicep curl doesn't involve (or shouldn't involve) shoulder flexion. Therefore for the sake of the curl the biceps only crosses the elbow.

That would be my take on it.

[Newlife]

I've seen fools make it a full body exercise.

[Terry Monk]

Originally Posted by Newlife

I've seen fools make it a full body exercise.

Ditto. Freak'n dummies.


Cheat curls is what it sounds like he's describing. That's the only time in curls that your shoulder is (should be) in motion. I still would barely classify cheats as compound.
This just has me shaking my head. He's actually arguing this point? Sounds to me like one of those guys that no matter what you tell him/show him/prove to him, he isn't going to budge on his p.o.v. Guess I wouldn't waste my time debating with him. He's wrong and most of us know that. He's the one that's looking like a fool.
Duh. I know you already know all this brother Igunick, I'm just spouting off.

[Alcoholiday]

pullups=compound
curls=isolation

[igunick]

oh great, I was right! that guy had me doubting for a while