If you’re asking is curling 35 pound dumbbells good Reddit is a great place to find real-world answers. Achieving a 35-pound dumbbell curl is a topic of discussion on Reddit, where users share their strength training progress. This article compiles those insights to give you a clear, practical guide.
We’ll look at what this weight means for different fitness levels, proper form, and how to integrate it into your routine safely.
Is Curling 35 Pound Dumbbells Good Reddit
The consensus from Reddit fitness communities is clear: curling 35-pound dumbbells is a sign of solid upper-body strength for the average lifter. It’s not a beginner weight, but it’s also not an elite level. For most men, reaching strict, full-range 35-pound curls for multiple reps indicates good bicep development. For many women, it represents advanced strength.
However, “good” is relative. It depends entirely on your body weight, training experience, and goals. A 150-pound person curling 35s is proportionally stronger than a 200-pound person doing the same. Reddit users often stress that the value isn’t in the number itself, but in what it represents: consistent training and progression.
What Does This Weight Represent For Different Lifters
Understanding where you stand helps set realistic expectations. Here’s how Reddit breaks it down.
For Beginner Lifters
If you are new to strength training, 35-pound dumbbells will likely be too heavy for proper form. Beginners should focus on mastering the movement with lighter weights, typically starting between 10 and 20 pounds. Attempting 35s too soon is a common cause of injury, as users on forums like r/Fitness frequently warn.
For Intermediate Lifters
This is the group for whom 35-pound curls become a meaningful benchmark. For an intermediate male lifter, performing 3 sets of 8-12 reps with 35s is a strong indicator of solid bicep growth. For an intermediate female lifter, achieving this often places them in the advanced category for upper body strength relative to their peers.
For Advanced Lifters
Advanced lifters may use 35-pound dumbbells for higher-rep accessory work or supersets. Their primary heavy curling sets will often be with 50+ pound dumbbells or a heavy barbell. On Reddit, advanced users note that 35s remain useful for burnout sets or focusing on mind-muscle connection even at high levels.
Key Factors That Determine If 35S Are Right For You
Before you grab those dumbbells, consider these points distilled from hundreds of Reddit threads.
- Your Body Weight: Strength often correlates with size. A heavier individual will generally need to lift more to see similar growth.
- Training Age: How long have you been lifting consistently? Real strength takes months, often years, to build.
- Form Proficiency: Can you curl 25s or 30s with perfect, cheat-free form? If not, moving up is risky.
- Specific Goals: Are you training for hypertrophy (muscle size), strength, or endurance? The rep scheme matters as much as the weight.
How To Safely Progress To Curling 35 Pound Dumbbells
Getting to the point where 35s are your working weight requires a smart plan. Rushing the process is the fastest way to plateau or get hurt. Here is a step-by-step approach favored by Reddit’s strength training communities.
Master The Fundamentals Of Form First
Perfect form is non-negotiable. Using momentum to swing heavy weights defeats the purpose and strains your lower back and shoulders.
- Stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with a supinated (palms-up) grip.
- Keep your elbows pinned close to your torso and your shoulders back and down.
- Initiate the curl by contracting your biceps, moving only your forearms. Your upper arms should remain stationary.
- Bring the dumbbell all the way up to your shoulder, squeezing your bicep hard at the top.
- Slowly lower the weight back to the starting position with control—don’t let it drop. This eccentric phase is crucial for growth.
Implement A Structured Progression Plan
Progressive overload is the key. You need to systematically challenge your muscles. Here’s a simple method:
- Week 1-2: Use a weight you can curl for 3 sets of 10 reps with perfect form. This might be 25-pound dumbbells.
- Week 3-4: Aim to add one rep to each set, or add an extra set. For example, achieve 3 sets of 12 reps.
- Week 5-6: Once you can do 3 sets of 12 comfortably, increase the weight by the smallest increment available (e.g., move to 30-pound dumbbells). Drop the reps back to 8-10 and repeat the cycle.
- Continue this pattern until you are performing 3 sets of 8-12 reps with the 35-pound dumbbells.
Incorporate Supporting Exercises
Your biceps don’t work in isolation. Stronger back and brachialis muscles help you curl more. Reddit users recommend these辅助 exercises:
- Chin-Ups/Pull-Ups: These are the ultimate bicep builder. A strong back supports heavy curling.
- Hammer Curls: Target the brachialis, a muscle that can increase overall arm size and curling strength.
- Preacher Curls: Isolate the bicep by eliminating body swing, ensuring the muscle does all the work.
Common Mistakes And Injuries Discussed On Reddit
Reddit threads are full of cautionary tales. Learning from others’ mistakes can save you months of frustration.
Using Excessive Momentum
This is the number one error. Swinging the weights might let you use a heavier dumbbell, but it takes the tension off the bicep and places it on your connective tissues. If you can’t curl it strictly, it’s too heavy.
Incomplete Range Of Motion
Partial reps with heavy weight are common. Not lowering the dumbbell fully or not bringing it all the way up reduces time under tension and limits growth. Full range of motion with a lighter weight is always more effective than partials with a heavier one.
Elbow And Wrist Pain
This is a frequent complaint. It often stems from:
- Overuse: Curling too often without adequate rest.
- Poor Grip: Letting the dumbbell sit too low in your fingers or bending your wrists excessively.
- Sudden Increases In Weight: Jumping from 30s to 40s because 35s weren’t available is a recipe for tendon strain.
How To Integrate 35 Pound Curls Into Your Workout Split
Where you place this exercise in your routine affects your performance and results. Reddit users debate the best approaches.
As A Primary Movement On Arm Day
If you have a dedicated arm day, heavy dumbbell curls can be your main bicep exercise. Perform them first when you are freshest. A sample arm day could look like:
- Standing Dumbbell Curls (35 lbs): 3 sets of 6-8 reps
- Hammer Curls: 3 sets of 10-12 reps
- Cable Rope Curls: 3 sets of 12-15 reps for a pump
As An Accessory On Back Day
This is a very popular and efficient method. Since biceps are already involved in pulling movements like rows and pull-ups, you can follow your back work with 2-3 sets of higher-rep curls (e.g., 8-12 reps) to fully fatigue the muscle.
Frequency And Volume Recommendations
Most Reddit advice suggests training biceps 2-3 times per week with moderate volume. Hitting them with 6-10 total hard sets per session, spread across different days, is often more effective than one marathon 20-set session. This allows for better recovery and more frequent stimulation.
FAQ: Is Curling 35 Pound Dumbbells Good Reddit
Is Curling 35S Good For Muscle Growth?
Yes, if it’s a challenging weight for you in the 6-15 rep range. Muscle growth (hypertrophy) occurs when you train close to failure with adequate volume. For an intermediate lifter, 35-pound dumbbells can be an excellent tool for building bigger biceps.
How Many People Can Curl 35 Pound Dumbbells?
It’s less common than you might think. In a general gym population, a man curling 35s for reps is above average. A woman doing the same is in a distinct minority. It represents a dedicated investment in strength training over many months.
Should I Use 35S For Every Set?
Probably not. It’s wise to use a lighter weight for warm-up sets to prepare the joints and muscles. Furthermore, your later exercises (like concentration curls) will likely require a lighter weight to maintain form. The 35s are best used for your primary, heavy sets.
What Is A Respectable Dumbbell Curl Weight?
Respectability is subjective. A common benchmark on Reddit is curling half your body weight in total (e.g., a 180-pound person curling 45s in each hand). However, strict form with 30-40 pound dumbbells for reps is widely considered strong in most gym settings.
How Long Does It Take To Get To 35 Pound Curls?
For a complete beginner with good genetics and consistent training, it could take 6-12 months. For others, it may take 1-2 years. The journey is highly individual. Focus on consistent progression rather than an arbitrary timeline.