Strict Curl Records Broken in Powerlifting: Who Holds It Now?

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LeRoy Walker and Nizami Tagiev share the strict curl world record of curling 114 kilograms.

The barbell strict curl is a challenging arm exercise that demands precise form as you curl a barbell. The strict curl record is a shared achievement held jointly by two powerlifting athletes. LeRoy Walker initially broke the long-standing record previously set by Denis Cyplenkov in 2015. Nizami Tagiev matched Walker’s lift shortly after, tying the record the following year.

LeRoy Walker’s accomplishment, however, sparked controversy within the powerlifting community. Fellow athletes and rivals, including Nizami Tagiev and Denis Cyplenkov, criticized former record-holder CT Fletcher, who had held the title for decades. Despite the backlash, the National Powerlifting Committee (NPLC) upheld Walker’s record, solidifying it as the new benchmark for the strict curl.

What Is a Strict Curl?

The strict curl is an arm-building exercise with a cable machine or free weights like a barbell, EZ bar, dumbbell, or kettlebell. It’s a biceps curl variation that also works on your biceps and builds the arms (1). However, the strict curl as a variation doesn’t allow the use of momentum.

When performing the strict curl, you need the proper form to execute. First, place your back against the wall and focus on contracting and flexing your biceps. Placing your back against the wall helps prevent swinging back and forth, so you don’t use any momentum during this routine. This puts a lot of tension on the biceps, forearms, and core muscles, which is good for muscle hypertrophy.

How to Do

You can do the strict curl in two different ways. One uses a cable machine, and the other uses a free weight of your preference. When doing it with a cable machine, you sit upright on the floor in front of it and curl. However, we shall show you how to perform the strict curl using a free weight, preferably with an EZ bar.

Grab the EZ bar using an underhand grip. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and your back flat against the wall. You could use a wide or a narrow grip.
Squeeze your shoulder blades, drive your shoulders into the wall, and place your glutes on the wall.
Ensure you press the backs of your arms against the wall while bracing your core muscles to create full body tension. This is your starting position.
Next, begin the curl by slowly moving only at your elbows and curl the weight as high as you can.
Pause at the top of the movement and squeeze your biceps as hard as possible.
Then, slowly and controlled, return the bar to the starting position.
Repeat for as many reps as possible.

What Is the Strict Curl Record?

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The current strict curl record is a joint record. It was first held by LeRoy Walker on August 28, 2021, at the Johnnie O. Jackson Classic, where he curled 114 kilograms (250 lbs). Before him, Denis Cyplenkov had the world record for curling 113 kg (249.1 lbs) in 2015. (Leroy Walker had previously set the American strict curl record by curling 103 kg (226 lbs)).

There were concerns about LeRoy Walker’s strict curl record. One was based on his grip being too narrow and his elbows bent at the starting position. Experts pointed out the advantage of this, shortening his range of motion during the strict curl. Some people even complained that spotters handed him the EZ bar. However, after carefully reviewing the events, the National Powerlifting Committee allowed it to stand.

Nizami Tagiev, a Russian powerlifter, also expressed his concerns about Walker’s controversial curl. While doing this, he added one kilogram to the record by curling 115 kg (253.5 lb). This was an unofficial record because the NPLC didn’t recognize and sanction it.

Nizami Tagiev’s concerns regarding LeRoy Walker’s lift had to do with the fact that the rules were not fair. “The rules and judging should be the same for everyone! I am for fair sport and for justice! Respect for all athletes from different countries! And let’s be honest with ourselves firstly!” Tagiev stated.

Then, a year later, Nizami Tagiev, also known as the “Strict Curl Monster,” at this point, matched LeRoy Walker’s previous strict curl record of 114 kilograms in a sanctioned event, tying Walker’s record. He curled the same load at the 2022 Siberian Power Show held on April 2 and 3, 2022, in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Competition Rules

The strict curl requires a lot of focus and proper form to execute. So, if you want to perform a strict curl, especially on a competitive level, you must adhere to the following rules. First, strict curl means curling while leaning against a wall or support.

The head, upper body, and glutes must remain against a wall throughout the lift. So, if you move any of those three body parts from the wall while curling up or down, the lift doesn’t count.
Heels must be at least 12 inches or less away from the wall.
Competitors at the starting position must keep their legs straight, arms straight, and upper back against the wall or support at the starting position.
Lifters can’t use their legs or momentum to curl the weight up.
The weight must be curled to the top, near the chin, or the throat.
Competitors can use a barbell or EZ bar.
Once you initiate the curl, you must pause at the top to demonstrate control. Then, lower the bar, keeping your upper back and glutes against the wall until you return to the starting position.

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Reference

Coratella, G., Tornatore, G., Longo, S., Toninelli, N., Padovan, R., Esposito, F., & Cè, E. (2023). Biceps Brachii and Brachioradialis Excitation in Biceps Curl Exercise: Different Handgrips, Different Synergy. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 11(3), 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11030064