How to Do Parallel Bar Curls

Building muscle becomes a more engaging task when equipment beyond the realm of weights is incorporated into workouts. The parallel bars offer a way to build upper body strength using your own body weight. Fashioned from two straight bars attached to upright poles, parallel bars are often used for gymnastics, although they also make an effective piece of strength-training equipment. By doing exercises like the parallel bar dip, your upper pectorals, shoulders and triceps will be put to work.

Things You'll Need

  • Parallel bars
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stand in between both bars with one hand on each bar.

    • 2

      Extend both arms to a rigid position with your hand firmly wrapped around each bar. Lift until your elbows are locked and both feet are lifted off of the ground. Pick your knees up if the bars do not extend high enough for them to remain straight and be off of the ground.

    • 3

      Lower your body in a controlled fashion using only the strength of your arms until both elbows are at a 45 degree angle, or as far as your body is capable of going.

    • 4

      Slowly raise your body back up utilizing the strength of your arms until both arms are fully extended to the position that you began the exercise from.

    • 5

      Repeat steps 2 through 4 as many times as your body is capable of handling. Remember to move slowly and stop the exercise when execution becomes sloppy from muscle exertion.