Weird Problem

NYC XYZ said:

Hi, All:

When I do bicep curls, I feel "it" in my inside elbow more
than in my biceps. I mean the "pain," the strain, the
discomfort, the fatigue. I feel that in the, what,
tendon-connection to the joint (elbow), and not
really in the biceps. I am sure I'm following correct
form, and using the right weight (not biting off more
than I can chew, IOW).

Same issue with the bench press -- and this I know I'm
following correct form since I have different spotters who
advise so -- I feel "it" in my triceps and not really in
my chest. With most any exercise I do, actually, I seem to
feel the "wrong" muscles for some reason!
(One exercise I never do is the squat, though.)

Anyone else have this issue? After a hard workout, what I
feel is not the muscle or muscle group so much (hardly,
really) as I do the tendons -- or whatever the connecting
muscles to joints are called. I'm not in pain, but it does
seem to border on it, almost an "echo" of pain but
most certainly not pain itself...I've always noticed this,
even when I was in top shape, but, being older and more
aware of my mortality now,
I've migrated to machines, just in case.

Any idea what's going on? =)

As to curls, medial epicondylitis. You can't do much to get
rid of it, but if you experiment, you can find ways to work
around it. Rule of thumb: if the lift really hurts, do
something else. You may get some healing over time, but the
weakness will always be there.

NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Hi, All:
::
:: When I do bicep curls, I feel "it" in my inside elbow more than in my
:: biceps. I mean the "pain," the strain, the discomfort, the fatigue.
:: I feel that in the, what, tendon-connection to the joint (elbow),
:: and not really in the biceps. I am sure I'm following correct form,
:: and using the right weight (not biting off more than I can chew,
:: IOW).
::
:: Same issue with the bench press -- and this I know I'm following
:: correct form since I have different spotters who advise so -- I feel
:: "it" in my triceps and not really in my chest. With most any
:: exercise I do, actually, I seem to feel the "wrong" muscles for some
:: reason! (One exercise I never do is the squat, though.)
::
:: Anyone else have this issue? After a hard workout, what I feel is
:: not the muscle or muscle group so much (hardly, really) as I do the
:: tendons -- or whatever the connecting muscles to joints are called.
:: I'm not in pain, but it does seem to border on it, almost an "echo"
:: of pain but most certainly not pain itself...I've always noticed
:: this, even when I was in top shape, but, being older and more aware
:: of my mortality now, I've migrated to machines, just in case.
::
::
:: Any idea what's going on? =)

Some machines force your body to move along lines that your body might not
prefer. I'd migrate back to free weights, if I were you. Work with lighter
weights until you feel confident.

Have you tried holding your hands differently when doing your curls? Same
question on bench presses - have you tried different spacing between your
hands?

JMW said:

NYC XYZ said:

Hi, All:

When I do bicep curls, I feel "it" in my inside elbow more
than in my biceps. I mean the "pain," the strain, the
discomfort, the fatigue. I feel that in the, what,
tendon-connection to the joint (elbow), and not
really in the biceps. I am sure I'm following correct
form, and using the right weight (not biting off more
than I can chew, IOW).

Same issue with the bench press -- and this I know I'm
following correct form since I have different spotters who
advise so -- I feel "it" in my triceps and not really in
my chest. With most any exercise I do, actually, I seem to
feel the "wrong" muscles for some reason!
(One exercise I never do is the squat, though.)

Anyone else have this issue? After a hard workout, what I
feel is not the muscle or muscle group so much (hardly,
really) as I do the tendons -- or whatever the connecting
muscles to joints are called. I'm not in pain, but it does
seem to border on it, almost an "echo" of pain but
most certainly not pain itself...I've always noticed this,
even when I was in top shape, but, being older and more
aware of my mortality now,
I've migrated to machines, just in case.

Any idea what's going on? =)

As to curls, medial epicondylitis. You can't do much to get
rid of it, but if you experiment, you can find ways to work
around it. Rule of thumb: if the lift really hurts, do

I had it bad for a while. I couldn't pick up something like a gallon
jug of milk or my laptop without searing pain.
I've finally gotten rid of it though.
Three months of babying only made it weaker and easier to aggravate.
Although, I'm sure if I hadn't rested it, it would only have gotten
worse. The pain & weakness is gone and I'm right back to where I was
prior.

Damn, is this what that is, "medial epicondylitis"??

It's not pain per se, so I can still do the lift, but it is very
uncomfortable. And yes, this has been going on for years, I don't
suppose there's any getting rid of it!

Thanks for the tip...I'm gonna go google and read up about this
condition now.

Well, see, this is the thing with me: it doesn't exactly "hurt," but is
uncomfortable enough (like needing to go use the restroom quickly but
not bad enough to [censored] all over yourself) for me to notice, and it's
been years of this now, whether I rest or not (I've had long dry spells
in terms of working out consistently).
Glad you seem to have finally cured yours, though.

Justin Case said:

JMW said:

NYC XYZ said:

Hi, All:

When I do bicep curls, I feel "it" in my inside elbow more
than in my biceps. I mean the "pain," the strain, the
discomfort, the fatigue. I feel that in the, what,
tendon-connection to the joint (elbow), and not
really in the biceps. I am sure I'm following correct
form, and using the right weight (not biting off more
than I can chew, IOW).

Same issue with the bench press -- and this I know I'm
following correct form since I have different spotters who
advise so -- I feel "it" in my triceps and not really in
my chest. With most any exercise I do, actually, I seem to
feel the "wrong" muscles for some reason!
(One exercise I never do is the squat, though.)

Anyone else have this issue? After a hard workout, what I
feel is not the muscle or muscle group so much (hardly,
really) as I do the tendons -- or whatever the connecting
muscles to joints are called. I'm not in pain, but it does
seem to border on it, almost an "echo" of pain but
most certainly not pain itself...I've always noticed this,
even when I was in top shape, but, being older and more
aware of my mortality now,
I've migrated to machines, just in case.

Any idea what's going on? =)

As to curls, medial epicondylitis. You can't do much to get
rid of it, but if you experiment, you can find ways to work
around it. Rule of thumb: if the lift really hurts, do

I had it bad for a while. I couldn't pick up something like
a gallon jug of milk or my laptop without searing pain.
I've finally gotten rid of it though.
Three months of babying only made it weaker and easier to
aggravate. Although, I'm sure if I hadn't rested it, it
would only have gotten worse. The pain & weakness is gone
and I'm right back to where I was prior.

The weakness to which I referred is not the lack of muscular
strength; I'm talking about the weakness in the tendon and
its attachment, and its tendency toward inflammation. If you
aren't careful, you will learn very quickly how it can come
around again. It's OK to lift heavy; just be damned careful
about how you do it. Free-weight preacher curls are one
thing which can easily bring it back.

Yes, I've tried different spacing, etc., but the condition persists.

Again, I really don't think it's a matter of too much weight, since I
am lifting, after all, and lifting with just the right amount of
stuggle/exertion...I mean, is it possible to be taking on too much
weight and not knowing it? Like, I can pench 225 fairly easily four or
five times "fresh," after being back in the gym after only one month
(started right from square one with 135 lbs., as if I hadn't benched
315 3X once upon a time)...is it possible to be able to do the work and
still have the work be wrong, too much?

JMW said:

Justin Case said:

JMW said:

NYC XYZ wrote:
> Hi, All:
>
> When I do bicep curls, I feel "it" in my inside elbow more
> than in my biceps. I mean the "pain," the strain, the
> discomfort, the fatigue. I feel that in the, what,
> tendon-connection to the joint (elbow), and not
> really in the biceps. I am sure I'm following correct
> form, and using the right weight (not biting off more
> than I can chew, IOW).
>
> Same issue with the bench press -- and this I know I'm
> following correct form since I have different spotters who
> advise so -- I feel "it" in my triceps and not really in
> my chest. With most any exercise I do, actually, I seem to
> feel the "wrong" muscles for some reason!
> (One exercise I never do is the squat, though.)
>
> Anyone else have this issue? After a hard workout, what I
> feel is not the muscle or muscle group so much (hardly,
> really) as I do the tendons -- or whatever the connecting
> muscles to joints are called. I'm not in pain, but it does
> seem to border on it, almost an "echo" of pain but
> most certainly not pain itself...I've always noticed this,
> even when I was in top shape, but, being older and more
> aware of my mortality now,
> I've migrated to machines, just in case.
>
> Any idea what's going on? =)

As to curls, medial epicondylitis. You can't do much to get
rid of it, but if you experiment, you can find ways to work
around it. Rule of thumb: if the lift really hurts, do

I had it bad for a while. I couldn't pick up something like
a gallon jug of milk or my laptop without searing pain.
I've finally gotten rid of it though.
Three months of babying only made it weaker and easier to
aggravate. Although, I'm sure if I hadn't rested it, it
would only have gotten worse. The pain & weakness is gone
and I'm right back to where I was prior.

The weakness to which I referred is not the lack of muscular
strength; I'm talking about the weakness in the tendon and
its attachment, and its tendency toward inflammation. If you

Yeah, I understood that.

Quoted message said:

aren't careful, you will learn very quickly how it can come
around again. It's OK to lift heavy; just be damned careful
about how you do it. Free-weight preacher curls are one
thing which can easily bring it back.

You're right. I've had before, years ago. I don't even remember what
brought it on originally. It wasn't weightlifting though. Probably
swinging a maul at cordwood.
It was heavy (obviously too heavy) hammer curls this time. At least it
feels great now. I thought I was screwed forever. I'll take your
advice & watch what I do.

On 1 Feb 2005 15:01:00 -0800, "NYC XYZ" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Yes, I've tried different spacing, etc., but the condition persists.

Again, I really don't think it's a matter of too much weight, since I
am lifting, after all, and lifting with just the right amount of
stuggle/exertion...I mean, is it possible to be taking on too much
weight and not knowing it?

If you have pain, yes.

Quoted message said:

Like, I can pench 225 fairly easily four or
five times "fresh," after being back in the gym after only one month
(started right from square one with 135 lbs., as if I hadn't benched
315 3X once upon a time)...is it possible to be able to do the work and
still have the work be wrong, too much?

Rest it for a while. Don't do movements that aggravate it or bring on
the pain for a few weeks at least. Then start back with light (easy,
no where near taxing), weight and low volume. A few light sets with
some days before working it again. Gradually acclimate it to working
again before trying to do heavier stuff.
But if you've had persistent pain for years, it may need medical
treatment.

Justin Case said:

JMW said:

Justin Case said:

"JMW" <[email hidden]> wrote:
>NYC XYZ wrote:
>> Hi, All:
>>
>> When I do bicep curls, I feel "it" in my inside elbow more
>> than in my biceps. I mean the "pain," the strain, the
>> discomfort, the fatigue. I feel that in the, what,
>> tendon-connection to the joint (elbow), and not
>> really in the biceps. I am sure I'm following correct
>> form, and using the right weight (not biting off more
>> than I can chew, IOW).
>>
>> Same issue with the bench press -- and this I know I'm
>> following correct form since I have different spotters who
>> advise so -- I feel "it" in my triceps and not really in
>> my chest. With most any exercise I do, actually, I seem to
>> feel the "wrong" muscles for some reason!
>> (One exercise I never do is the squat, though.)
>>
>> Anyone else have this issue? After a hard workout, what I
>> feel is not the muscle or muscle group so much (hardly,
>> really) as I do the tendons -- or whatever the connecting
>> muscles to joints are called. I'm not in pain, but it does
>> seem to border on it, almost an "echo" of pain but
>> most certainly not pain itself...I've always noticed this,
>> even when I was in top shape, but, being older and more
>> aware of my mortality now,
>> I've migrated to machines, just in case.
>>
>> Any idea what's going on? =)
>
>As to curls, medial epicondylitis. You can't do much to get
>rid of it, but if you experiment, you can find ways to work
>around it. Rule of thumb: if the lift really hurts, do

I had it bad for a while. I couldn't pick up something like
a gallon jug of milk or my laptop without searing pain.
I've finally gotten rid of it though.
Three months of babying only made it weaker and easier to
aggravate. Although, I'm sure if I hadn't rested it, it
would only have gotten worse. The pain & weakness is gone
and I'm right back to where I was prior.

The weakness to which I referred is not the lack of muscular
strength; I'm talking about the weakness in the tendon and
its attachment, and its tendency toward inflammation. If you

Yeah, I understood that.

Quoted message said:

aren't careful, you will learn very quickly how it can come
around again. It's OK to lift heavy; just be damned careful
about how you do it. Free-weight preacher curls are one
thing which can easily bring it back.

You're right. I've had before, years ago. I don't even remember what
brought it on originally. It wasn't weightlifting though. Probably
swinging a maul at cordwood.

Very likely. It seems that plyometric resistance is good at causing
epicondylitis, since lateral epicondylitis is commonly known as
"tennis elbow," and medial epicondylitis is called "golfer's elbow."
--

JMW
http://www.rustyiron.net

Roger Zoul wrote: (snipped here and there)

Quoted message said:

NYC XYZ wrote:
:: When I do bicep curls, I feel "it" in my
:: inside elbow more than in my biceps.
:: Same issue with the bench press -- I feel
:: "it" in my triceps and not really in my chest.

Quoted message said:

I'd migrate back to free weights, if I were you.
Work with lighter weights until you feel confident.

Have you tried holding your hands differently when
doing your curls? Same question on bench presses -
have you tried different spacing between your hands?

I've had tennis elbow. Physcial therapy fixed me up 99% or better. I
also have a twinge or feel it in my tendons more than the muscle when
doing Olympic bar benches, however switching to dumbbells as well as
rotating the weights erased that problem.

Can you do hammer curls without pain? And try ridiculously light and
ridiculously slow speed high rep concentration curls for your biceps.
I've read that wide grip benching is better for your pecs than the
medium or close-grip variation which seems to work triceps more.
Best of luck.
--

EXACTLY! It's those damned preacher bench curls. =)

But just doing biceps curls in general, even when standing,
sitting...again, it's not pain, but there is a funny sensation of
discomfort of some kind...I do suppose it's weakness in the tendons,
yes.

Oh well...file this one under "recreational hazzard." What else to do
for biceps besides curls? Oddly enough, doing chin-ups (i.e., palms
facing) doesn't seem to occasion this phenomenon...though, then again,
I don't do more than ten or eleven right now, and have only ever done
twenty-one at most (all correctly, of course).

LOL -- doh!

Thanks for the reminder...I'd forgotten about the utility of wide-grip
vs. close-grip...actually, I do a medium grip right now, so I'll have
to go wider to do the pecs.

I dunno . . . I have the same problem, curling bars mess up my elbows. All
I do now are hammer curls with dumbells.
-Tock

NYC XYZ said:

Damn, is this what that is, "medial epicondylitis"??

It's not pain per se, so I can still do the lift, but it is very
uncomfortable. And yes, this has been going on for years, I don't
suppose there's any getting rid of it!

Thanks for the tip...I'm gonna go google and read up about this
condition now.

I've had both elbows hyperextended in the past, and I can't do palm-in
chinups or preacher curls, but palm out is fine. Have you tried
alternate dumbell curls, or some other variation with dumbells?
Something which allows the elbows to rotate freely, and find their own
path, so to speak.

I don't have problems with a barbell bench, but if I did, I would try
DB benches.

Kermit

On 9 Feb 2005 said:

NYC XYZ said:

Damn, is this what that is, "medial epicondylitis"??

It's not pain per se, so I can still do the lift, but it is very
uncomfortable. And yes, this has been going on for years, I don't
suppose there's any getting rid of it!

Thanks for the tip...I'm gonna go google and read up about this
condition now.

I've had both elbows hyperextended in the past, and I can't do palm-in
chinups or preacher curls, but palm out is fine. Have you tried
alternate dumbell curls, or some other variation with dumbells?
Something which allows the elbows to rotate freely, and find their own
path, so to speak.

I don't have problems with a barbell bench, but if I did, I would try
DB benches.

Kermit

I was recently diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis and wrist tendonitis.
Ususally, overuse of the brachioradialis causes wrist tendonitis which
spreads to epicondylitis which spreads to some sort of inflamed tendon in
the shoulder (So my NP tells me). My physician recomends ultrasound
treatment, using those wrist straps with the hooks to immobilize the wrist
while lifting, lots of rest, taking ibuprofin (800mg three times a day for
two weeks to load it into the system, and then whenever you feel the
pain). If you're lucky, you'll be able to talk your doctor into giving you
some cortosone injections. I'm still working on that (-: