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Exercise guide

Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl

How to do the Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

IsolationDumbbellBeginnerPull
Primary muscles

Biceps

Secondary

Forearms

Equipment

Dumbbell

Step by step

How to do the Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl

  1. 1

    Stand (torso upright) with a dumbbell in each hand held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso and the palms of your hand should be facing your thighs.

  2. 2

    While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the right weight as you rotate the palm of the hands until they are facing forward. At this point continue contracting the biceps as you breathe out 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.

  3. 3

    Slowly begin to bring the dumbbell back to the starting position as your breathe in. Tip: Remember to twist the palms back to the starting position (facing your thighs) as you come down.

  4. 4

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

  5. 5

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

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap — so your biceps volume is visible at a glance — and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Related

More biceps exercises

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