The Jefferson curl has just lately grow to be a scorching subject within the weightlifting group.

Proponents hail it as a strong answer for combating again issues and providing long-term ache reduction.

Others argue it’s a harmful motion that drastically will increase your threat of again damage.

What’s the reality? Who ought to incorporate the train into their routine? And the way do you do Jefferson curls with appropriate kind?

Get evidence-based solutions to those questions and extra on this article. 

Who Ought to Do the Jefferson Curl Train?

The Jefferson curl is a divisive train within the health world. 

On the one hand, consultants, together with Dr. Stuart McGill, warn that flexing (bending) your backbone whereas lifting weights can compromise backbone well being and improve the threat of disc herniations. Due to these dangers, they advise everybody to keep away from the Jefferson curl.

Alternatively, many imagine there’s little compelling proof that is true and that flexion workout routines aren’t inherently harmful. They argue that if workout routines just like the Jefferson curl had been dangerous, we’d see a better incidence of again ache amongst individuals who flex their backbone for prolonged durations or repeatedly flex their backbone towards resistance—however we don’t.

Moreover, they imagine weightlifting strengthens your muscular tissues and bones, making accidents much less probably, and suggest the Jefferson curl for everybody, particularly these with again points. 

Certainly, each side make legitimate factors but additionally have weaknesses of their arguments.

For instance, critics of backbone flexion workout routines usually base their views on unrealistic animal research, which could indirectly apply to people lifting weights. Alternatively, flexion train advocates usually don’t assist their stance with research on weightlifters, making it laborious to see if their claims maintain up in observe.

Moreover, there’s debate about whether or not workout routines just like the Jefferson curl strengthen the backbone, because the spinal discs may not reply to energy coaching the identical means different bones do.

So, who must you hearken to? And may anybody really do the Jefferson curl train?

In actuality, taking an excessive stance in both path isn’t prudent. 

Again ache varies considerably between folks, and completely different actions can have an effect on it in another way. As an example, some folks discover spinal flexion painful and get reduction from arching their again (they’ve an “extension bias”). These folks in all probability shouldn’t do the Jefferson curl.

Others discover spinal extension problematic, however flexion feels good. These folks have a “flexion bias,” and performing the Jefferson curl might provide some profit.

In different phrases, the Jefferson curl isn’t a cure-all for again ache. It’d assist in some instances; in others, it might trigger issues. 

Listed here are some heuristics for utilizing it as a remedy for again ache:

  1. Begin utilizing solely your physique weight and see the way it feels.
  2. If it causes discomfort, cease. 
  3. If it feels okay, proceed with mild weights and progress slowly.

For those who don’t have again ache, whether or not you strive the train is as much as you. For those who strive it and revel in it, there’s no hurt in persevering with. However keep in mind that it’s not important for most individuals.

In actual fact, the one folks with out again ache who may profit from doing Jefferson curls are those that have to be robust in a spread of positions—first responders, army personnel, strongmen, gymnasts, grapplers, and the like. 

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Do the Jefferson Curl

  1. Maintain a barbell with an overhand grip (palms going through you) and stand upright on a field, bench, or different sturdy elevated floor.
  2. Holding the bar near your legs, slowly bend ahead to decrease the load towards the ground. Concentrate on shifting one vertebra at a time, beginning on the high of your neck and dealing your means down your backbone.
  3. Proceed decreasing the load so far as doable whereas maintaining your legs straight. 
  4. Reverse the motion and return to the beginning place.

Right here’s the way it ought to look if you put all of it collectively:

Jefferson Curl: Advantages

Listed here are the first Jefferson curl advantages:

1. It strengthens your posterior chain.

The Jefferson curl trains your total posterior chain (the muscle teams on the again of your physique). It additionally trains the decrease again in a flexed place, which most different workout routines neglect. This will likely promote extra balanced and full energy than when you solely do workout routines with a impartial backbone.

2. It stretches your hamstrings.

Performing Jefferson curls by a full vary of movement deeply stretches the hamstrings, which may grow to be tight amongst individuals who spend prolonged durations of time sitting and contribute to decrease again ache.

3. It could enhance again ache.

Whereas analysis has but to confirm claims that the Jefferson curl can enhance again ache, numerous anecdotal studies counsel it could actually. Importantly, that is probably solely true in folks with a flexion bias. 

Jefferson Curl: Muscular tissues Labored

When performing the Jefferson Curl, the first muscular tissues labored are:

It additionally trains the traps, rhomboids, lats, calves, and core to a lesser extent.

Right here’s how the primary muscular tissues labored by the Jefferson curl look in your physique:


Good Morning (Muscles Worked)


Jefferson Curls: FAQs

FAQ #1: What does a Jefferson curl do?

The Jefferson curl strengthens the decrease again and stretches the hamstrings. It trains the decrease again whereas flexed, selling energy and adaptability able that the majority different workout routines miss.

FAQ #2: What’s the operate of the Jefferson curl?

The first operate of the Jefferson curl is to construct energy and improve mobility within the backbone and hamstrings. Some folks imagine the Jefferson curl might help forestall or treatment decrease again ache, however this isn’t primarily based on scientific proof but.

FAQ #3: Are Jefferson curls good for decrease again ache?

Jefferson curls can profit folks with decrease again ache, particularly these with a flexion bias—which means they discover consolation in bending ahead. Whereas scientific analysis is proscribed, anecdotal proof means that the Jefferson curl might assist alleviate again ache for some people by strengthening and stretching the decrease again and hamstrings. 

Nevertheless, it’s important to start out with no or very mild weights and progress slowly to make sure the train doesn’t exacerbate the ache. Lifting heavy weights isn’t crucial for this train. 

FAQ #4: What’s the distinction between Jefferson curls and good mornings?

The distinction between Jefferson curls and good mornings is Jefferson curls strengthen your decrease again when it’s bent, and good mornings strengthen your decrease again, glutes, and hamstrings whereas your again is straight. 

Good mornings allow you to raise heavier weights extra safely, in order that they’re usually extra widespread in energy and conditioning packages designed that will help you acquire muscle and energy. 

+ Scientific References