Elbow pain - lifting

MissTomGettingThin

Hi
I thought my form was ok. I've read about form and watched videos online but have managed to do something painful to my elbow. :-( feels like maybe a tendon.

I use free weights.
Try to keep elbows in.

Does anyone think I might be better using a machine that forces me to move correctly or could it just be the weight?

Thanks

meshashesha2012

what specific exercises are you doing that you notice the pain?

do a form recheck. it could be anything as little as how your wrists are turned. you can also wrap the joint before you start exercising.

MissTomGettingThin

Hi. Thanks for the reply.
It's when I'm doing bicep curls.
Wasn't too bad at the gym but it's just hurt to reach for and lift a drink!

ninerbuff

Are you "locking" your elbows at the end of pressing movements? Your elbow should still have a slight bend in it so that the brunt of any weight isn't supported by the joint, but the muscle.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

MissTomGettingThin

Are you "locking" your elbows at the end of pressing movements? Your elbow should still have a slight bend in it so that the brunt of any weight isn't supported by the joint, but the muscle.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Hi. No. Am very aware of not locking any joints.
Maybe I've tried to go too heavy too soon!?

Spartan_Maker

Hi. Thanks for the reply.
It's when I'm doing bicep curls.
Wasn't too bad at the gym but it's just hurt to reach for and lift a drink!

Maybe you are letting the weight hang at the bottom of your lift. If you keep your bicep flexed (arm still a bit bent) at the bottom, it will help to reduce the stress on your elbows and work your bicep better too.

Either that, or as you suggest, you may be going too heavy. If you're able to do less than 5 reps, that might be a possibility.

MissTomGettingThin

Thanks everyone. I'll analyse what I'm doing to see if I'm making silly mistakes.
I only just got to 8 reps today. Maybe bit heavy.

gypsybree

Thanks for this post~ I have the same trouble. I fractured one elbow in two places which didn't heal correctly, so I got that elbow covered but shortly after one started hurting so did the other and there was no reason for that one.

I did online research and the only thing that I could make sense is that I was doing too much. So I stopped completely and then I started again slowly, only doing half the workout I was doing (using the same weights cause they're really low)

My previously fractured elbow still has trouble for what appears to be no reason. My other is now slightly more prone to hurting. So now I just keep my workouts spaced and if I see any sign of trouble in my previously non-fractured elbow I stop and give it a rest for a few days.
I think what happened is a sprain to the elbow. I sprained both my ankles and no one is sensitive to activity and the feeling that I get in the elbow is the same as I had to the ankle.

So I think for me overall, I sprained both elbows and now they're just sensitive.
I also pay attention to form but its easy to get carried away during a workout.

I'll be interested to see if anyone has anything else to say...

MissTomGettingThin

I sometimes do think we push ourselves too much sometimes in our efforts.

ninerbuff

Sorry didn't see that it was curls you were doing. So does it hurt on the inside of the elbow near the area where your forearm and elbow joint meet? If it does, then it's probably "tennis elbow" which is basically a form of tendinitis. I have it in both elbows.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

meshashesha2012

I sometimes do think we push ourselves too much sometimes in our efforts.

true. it's always these silly little injuries from the past that crop up. i injured my shoulder years ago and thought it was OK, but my recent lifting (especially overhead squats, push ups and bench press) i'm starting to notice it again. i'm thinking it's probably worth it to go back to some physical therapy and lower the weight until it's completely 100% healed

MissTomGettingThin

Sorry didn't see that it was curls you were doing. So does it hurt on the inside of the elbow near the area where your forearm and elbow joint meet? If it does, then it's probably "tennis elbow" which is basically a form of tendinitis. I have it in both elbows.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Outside. Just below the joint. :-(

davert123

Machines are good for people who are new to weights as they limit the movement - usually in one direction. With free weights the weight can move in 3 dimensions and can load our bodies in unplanned and painful ways. If you are hurting all the time it may be worth getting checked our by a doc or physio/osteopath.

Shadowsan

If you're getting it on the inside of your arm near your elbow, read 'tennis elbow'.

However...

A lot of people doing curls get this exact problem because they're isolating their bicep for a lot of work, but don't have the forearm strength to support it. Wrist flexors are regularly one of the first muscles to be neglected when it comes to arms - and one of the first to tear if you don't strengthen them up.

So i'd recommend to anyone doing bicep curls... Work on your forearms and grip. You'll be amazed at the improvement it gives you on curling (and with an improved grip, everything else!)

There are plenty of exercises to improve them - I recommend wrist curls for the inside of your forearms.

MissTomGettingThin

If you're getting it on the inside of your arm near your elbow, read 'tennis elbow'.

However...

A lot of people doing curls get this exact problem because they're isolating their bicep for a lot of work, but don't have the forearm strength to support it. Wrist flexors are regularly one of the first muscles to be neglected when it comes to arms - and one of the first to tear if you don't strengthen them up.

So i'd recommend to anyone doing bicep curls... Work on your forearms and grip. You'll be amazed at the improvement it gives you on curling (and with an improved grip, everything else!)

There are plenty of exercises to improve them - I recommend wrist curls for the inside of your forearms.

Thank you. Makes sense.

iAMsmiling

wrong thread....