Biceps exercises

Dumbbell Alternating Hammer Curl

Also known as: Curl marteau alterné avec haltères · Εναλλάξ κάμψεις σφυριού με αλτήρες · Alternate Hammer Curl · alt hammer curl

Primary
Biceps
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Force
Pull
Suggested rest
1 min

How to do the Dumbbell Alternating Hammer Curl

  1. Stand up with your torso upright and a dumbbell in each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso.

  2. The palms of the hands should be facing your torso. This will be your starting position.

  3. While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the right weight forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Continue the movement until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps. Tip: Only the forearms should move.

  4. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as your breathe in.

  5. Repeat the movement with the left hand. This equals one repetition.

  6. Continue alternating in this manner for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 4 kg (10 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Biceps

Secondary

Forearms

The biceps bend the elbow and turn the palm up. Curls with different grips and arm angles hit the long head, short head and brachialis.

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Dumbbell biceps exercises