whats better

Why?

Is it because chin-ups is a compound exercise?

(And what would those of us that cannot do chin-ups do instead?)
 
someone once said if you cant do a chin, dont do a curl. or something to that effect :p

IMO, you get more out of chins than you do curls. you hit more muscles in less time. negatives are a good way to start, get yourself in the top position them lower slowly. if you've never done them before believe me you will get sore like a son of a gun. :D
 
That is true. Chins are better. If you can’t do chins, start off doing negatives as suggested. However, work slowly into this because this is a high tension exercise and you CAN get a strain if you are not careful, especially doing negatives. You can actually strain your neck by doing chins, so start with 3 or less negatives per set and see how you feel at the end of the week. Then increase by 1-2 a week until you are doing full chins. Then work up on that.
To answer the original question "Bar curls or dumbbell?" dumbbells are preferred because they give you greater range of motion and better support for your wrists. There are also more variations with the dumbbells. Personally I do chin ups then curls (if I do curls at all) then kettlebell.
 
I used to do barbell (preacher) curls, cause i could see my muscles wanting to rip through the skin in the mirror. Now I do standing dumbell curls. Just what I like. I never found one to be better than the other. But I would follow jp and abear's advice, they're old and experienced,lol. J/p yall.
I think it's better for beginners to start on basic excercises (ie. push ups, chin ups, dips, etc) and work their way into free weights.
 
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