Most people pay attention to only heavier weights and endless curls to build powerful arms, but to build fuller and defined arms, you should not only focus on the weights, but also on the type of exercise you do.
And one of such workouts is the Low Cable Curl, which when compared to dumbbell and barbell curls, keeps the muscle tensed all throughout the exercise, making it the best for muscle growth and an effective bicep exercise.
If you desire for your arms to stand out, then add the low cable curls to your arm training.
What Is the Low Cable Curl?
The Low Cable Curl is a bicep isolation workout that is done with a cable machine set at the lowest pulley.
To do the low cable curls exercise, you can use the straight bar, EZ-bar attachment, rope attachment and single handles.
While the low cable curls maintain the tension on your biceps during lifting and lowering, constantly engaging the muscles, the dumbbells lose this tension at some points during the exercise, which is why many bodybuilders consider low cable curls to give stronger burns.
Why the Low Cable Curl Is Great for Bicep Workout and Muscle Growth
1. Constant Tension
The low cable curls maintain resistance on your biceps from the beginning of the workout to the end, which makes it the biggest advantage of cable curl as this long tension promotes more muscle control and growth.
2. Better Bicep Isolation
Because this exercise supports better stability and control, it makes it easy to work the biceps more without using too much body movement, making your bicep exercise more efficient.
3. Better Muscle Focus
Lots of people do not feel their biceps work during curls, but with low cable curls, you’re able to pay better attention to the muscles working.
4. Great for Arm Definition
The low cable curls work more on the lower part of the biceps and helps to develop a fuller and well-defined arm.
Muscles Worked with Cable Curl
The low cable curls works mainly on the :
- Biceps brachii: which is the primary muscle that bends the elbows
- Brachialis: which contributes to the thickness of the arms
- Forearms, a muscle responsible for grip and control.
Because of the constant tension created by low cable curls during exercise, it activates the whole arm making it relevant for your arm training.
How To Perform The Curl Correctly
Step 1: Set Up the Machine
Using any of the handles mentioned earlier, attach your favourite to the lowest pulley.
Step 2: Starting Position
In an upright position and chest raised, hold the handles with your palms facing up and keep your elbows close to your sides.
Step 3: Curl the Weight
Pull the handles towards your shoulders and squeeze your biceps at the same time. Make sure you’re moving only your forearms with your upper arm still.
Step 4: Pause and Squeeze
Pause for a minute when you pull the handles in and maintain the tension in your biceps.
Step 5: Lower Slowly
With control, lower the weight, don’t drop it quickly.
Important Technique Tips for Cable Curl and Train Smart Results
- Keep your elbows close to your body throughout the exercise.
- Control your lowering phase, this part is as effective as your lifting phase.
- Avoid swinging the weight, it reduces the tension on the biceps.
- Use a moderate weight for better performance, using too much weight leads to poor posture.
When you train smart, you achieve a better long-term result than just lifting heavier.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t lean back too much, it removes attention from the biceps.
- Avoid moving your elbows forward, it cuts down the tension on the muscles.
- Stop rushing your reps as this lessens the amount of time needed for your muscles to work.
- At the same time partial reps negate muscle growth, so work through the whole movement.
Why Constant Tension Matters in Low Cable Curl and Arm Training
The number one reason why the low cable curls is so efficient is because of its consistent resistance feature.
Muscles grow better when they experience mechanical tension, a controlled stress and steady overload.
And the low cable curls deliver on all three.
As previously stated, cable curls, unlike free weights, retain pressure on the muscles throughout the exercise making it hard for the biceps to take a breather.
This is why the low cable curls are very useful for arm training.
How to Add Low Cable Curl Into Your Routine
The low cable curls can function as the main biceps exercise or used as the finishing exercise or part of a superset.
Recommended
Sets: 3-4
Reps: 10-15
And rest for 45-60 secs, but to achieve better results work on slowly lowering the weights, use full contraction and progress gradually.
Who Should Use The Low Cable Curls
The cable curl is best for beginners learning proper curl posture, a middle-level bodybuilder who wants to improve on muscle control, and a pro-athlete who desires better arm definition.
Low cable curls are also beneficial for people who want curls that are easier on the joints.
Final Thoughts
The low cable curls are proof that heavier weights aren’t always a necessity to developing good-looking arms.
Most times the best way to see results is to keep the muscle under constant tension and then train smart.
With better control, proper posture and constant tension you can develop a powerful, well- defined arm and better muscle growth.
So be consistent, Focus your attention on training your arms and let the cable curls work its magic.