While waiting at the airport I noticed a lot of people weighing their luggage before checking in to ensure that they didn’t go over the allocated 25kg.

So I though it was a good opportunity to use the luggage measuring device for  some bicep curls while we were waiting. If you’re nearing the allocated weight allowance using this device actually requires quite a bit of strength .

Provided that you have the core strength to correctly brace and protect your lower back, these bicep curls can be a great way to utilise time spent waiting in the queue.

The weighing device adds an additional dimension to the degree of difficulty. The device’s handle  moves around like a seesaw, which requires you use your core muscles to stabilise, and especially to brace with your transverse abdominus. By merely trying to suspend the suitcase off the ground, you can activate those core muscles.

At all times ensure you have the correct posture, ie. a straight back, chest out and shoulders back. If you don’t sufficiently brace from below the belly button you’ll transfer the load to your lower back, using  external lower back muscles such as the Erector Spinae and  internal lower back support muscles such as the multifidis.

You can hold the suitcase or weighing device with a clenched fist with your fingertips and palm facing the ceiling to perform a traditional bicep curl. Or hold the handle or weighing device with your fingertips and palm facing down to perform a reverse bicep curl.

The bicep curl predominately uses the large bicep muscle (bicep brachii), while the reverse bicep curl uses the bicep muscle (briachiradialis) as well as the muscles just below your elbow (all the wrist flexing muscles – Extensor digitorum, Extensor carpi radialis brevis).

My suitcase actually weighed 21.5kg, so maybe start by trying this with your cabin luggage first )

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 9:50 am by Andrew Talati and is filed under Unusual Exercises.

Tags: Correct Exercise Technique, Exercise

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