Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curl — start position
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Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curl — end position
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Arms / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curl

Standing curls with a neutral grip, alternating arms, that build the brachialis, brachioradialis and biceps.

At a glance

Primary
Biceps, Forearms & grip
Equipment
Dumbbells
Movement pattern
Elbow flexion (curl), Grip
Level
Beginner
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint), One side at a time

How to do it

  1. Stand holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides, palms facing your thighs.
  2. Keeping your upper arm still, curl one dumbbell up toward the shoulder with the palm still facing in.
  3. Lower it under control.
  4. Repeat with the other arm, alternating.

Tips

  • Keep the elbows pinned to your sides.
  • Do not swing the torso.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps — primary (Front)Forearms & grip — primary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip — primary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Biceps, Forearms & grip

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.