One at a Time or Together?

When I do curls if I do both arms at the same time (standing) I can hardly do 17.5 (per side), but if I only do one arm at a time (10 reps) I can do 22.5lbs. (I'm assuming this has someting to do withthe muscles in my back being used for balance).

So the question is should I being doing them together or separately for a better more effective workout?


5'7"
145
(female)
 
You mean like left, right, left, right.. or left x 10 then right x 10? I'd say go w/left x 10, then right x 10.. If you do left, right, left, right, it's probably because of the extra few seconds your opposite arm is getting..
 
most peopel don't curl both dumbbells simultaneously. if you wanna do that, do barbell curls. I would not call it completely wrong, but it is a little harder to curl them both at the same speed, same angle, yada yada.

I prefer left, right, left, right. I switch which arm starts each set, because it helps me focus more and prevents me from tiring out after 10reps of right and only getting 9 on the left (which is my off-hand, and slightly weaker/smaller bicep).

I personally make hammer curls a staple in most bicep workouts, and then rotate between barbell curls, dumbbell curls, preacher curls. Sometimes i toss in reverse curls, or a set of isolation curls at the end for a good hard pump.
 
Sorry I assumed.. lol, yeah if you want to do them at the same time I'd suggest going with the barbell. But since you can lift more weight with one db @ a time, stick with that. Left, right... or left x10 right x10 whichever is your choice.
 
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