Exercise

Dumbbell Bicep Curl

Also known as: dumbbell curl, db curl, standing dumbbell curl, biceps curl, dumbbell standing biceps curl

Dumbbell Bicep Curl — position 1Dumbbell Bicep Curl — position 2

Dumbbell Bicep Curl is a isolation exercise for the biceps. Main target: biceps long head and biceps short head. Also works: brachialis and forearm flexors. Equipment: dumbbell.

EquipmentDumbbell
TypeIsolation
MovementPull
CategoryStrength

Muscles worked

How to do it

  1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand at arm's length. Keep your elbows close to your torso and rotate the palms of your hands until they are facing forward. This will be your starting position.
  2. Now, keeping the upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps. Continue to raise the weights until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
  3. Then, inhale and slowly begin to lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Common mistakes

  • Not lowering all the way — the biceps never stretch.

Tips

  • Turn your palm up (supinate) as you lift.

Used in these programs

Dumbbell-Only Full Body Workout

A pair of dumbbells and a mat: three full-body sessions a week — squats, presses, rows and Romanian deadlifts.

Beginner · 3 times a week · Home
Dumbbell Upper/Lower Split, 4 Days

A four-day split with just dumbbells and a bench: two upper-body days, two leg-and-glute days. Muscle growth at home.

Intermediate · 4 times a week · Home
Dumbbell Arm Workout: Biceps & Triceps

An arm workout with dumbbells in supersets: biceps curls, hammer curls, extensions and close-grip push-ups.

Beginner · once a week · Home

Similar exercises

Incline Dumbbell Curl
Dumbbell
Biceps long head
Concentration Curls
Dumbbell
Biceps short head
Alternate Incline Dumbbell Curl
Dumbbell
Biceps long head
Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl
Dumbbell
Biceps short head
Dumbbell Prone Incline Curl
Dumbbell
Biceps short head
Flexor Incline Dumbbell Curls
Dumbbell
Biceps long head

Alternatives with other equipment

Barbell Curl
Barbell
Biceps short headBiceps long head
EZ-Bar Curl
EZ curl bar
Biceps short headBiceps long head
Standing Biceps Cable Curl
Cable
Biceps short headBiceps long head
Machine Bicep Curl
Machine
Biceps short head
Arm Blaster Curl
Other
Biceps short head
Band Overhead Biceps Curl
Bands
Biceps short head
Add to a workout in LiftChat
LiftChat builds a program around it, suggests weights and sets, and tracks your progress. Free.