One of my favorite fitness equipment lines, Yukon, makes what is called a Premium Preacher Curl Bench (PCB-183).

What is a preacher curl and why do I need a machine?

The biceps brachii is a two-headed muscle in the upper part of your arm. The point of origin, which is the point of attachment where the muscle is anchored to the bone, is under the deltoid, a large triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint, which raises the arm up. The point of insertion, which is where the muscle is attached to the bone ends below the elbow. Not only does all this raise the arm but it allows the wrist to twist downward.

The Yukon Premium Preacher Curl Bench works your biceps in order to build muscle, tone and develop the biceps especially the lower end. If you are a body builder and have a space between the lower biceps and the elbow joint the preacher curl will help fill in and shape the area.

In a pinch I have done preacher curls holding my arm over the top of a seated bench. This is not ideal. The angle is wrong but others do it as well. Still having a bench to use is the best way to build the area.

About the machine:

Like other Yukon products I think the PCB is well made, sturdy and durable. It is made of 2 inch by 2 inch powder coated steel. It measures 42 inches high by 34 inches wide by 32 inches long. The maximum user capacity is 250 pounds. It weighs 50 pounds. The machine costs $150.00. Clearly this is not a commercial machine. It is made for the home user. It is light enough to move around.

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can return the PCB within 30 days of delivery Yukon will refund you on the purchase price less shipping costs. Yukon has a limited warranty for life. You will want to read the fine print but in my opinion Yukon offers a very good warranty.

Using the Preacher Curl Bench:

I found the PCB really sturdy. It sits on two legs that stabilize it. I was really impressed with how easily I could adjust the seat and the elbow pad. I have used machines that have put me at terrible angles because they are made for men. I could sit on the Yukon PCB and actually use it correctly. The seat is really comfortable and thickly padded as is the elbow pad. Two knobs allowed me to adjust the seat and the elbow pads to a comfortable position.

The PCB is what I call a one-body part piece of equipment. It is designed to work my arms. A preacher curl does a great job in isolating the bicep muscles.

Sitting on the bench I made sure that my chest was against the bench. The preacher curl is done with an angled pad. The top of this angle should be at breast height or just below. I extended my arms over the elbow pad. I do this for two reasons. One is because I am going to be reaching for a bar to curl and another is that I now put stress on the lower area of the muscle which is where I want it.

The barbell (I use both a straight bar and one that is called an E-Z curl bar. I have also used dumbbells when using the Yukon and other preacher curl benches.) rests on two flat pieces of metal. I had to stand up to reach it which is the norm for me at 5’ 5” tall. I held the bar with an underhand grip, held my body steady since I want to use my muscles and not momentum to lift this bar and then curled the bar all the way up and then lowered it slowly to a full extension.

Bars are sold separately and do not come with the Curl Bench. A bar will run you $50 and up.

My rating:

My biceps workout is my favorite because I see the payoff fairly quickly. The preacher curl, if not on every workout since I change them every month, is certainly on many of them.

It is difficult to rate one-body part machines because universal type machines that will work every body part can be had fairly inexpensively.

What I do is rate these machines without comparing them to universals but to compare them to other types of machines in the same category. If you were to tell me you are building a home gym and wanted a preacher curl machine I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Yukon’s. I do have to again caution you that the weight limit is on the low side so this machine may not work if you are a large or a massive person. It is terrific for a woman because of the adjustments.

Please check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Other Yukon products:

Yukon Angled Back Machine • Yukon Inversion Table • Yukon Competitor Lat Pull Down Machine • Yukon Economy Lat Pull Down Machine • Yukon Seated Calf Machine • Multi Station Yukon
• Yukon Chin Dip Leg Machine • Yukon Ab Crunch Machine

A complete list of my fitness equipment reviews can be found on my profile page. Thanks for reading. jo




Recommended: Yes