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Exercise Comparison

Alternate Hammer Curl vs Barbell Curl

Alternate Hammer Curl - starting position
Alternate Hammer Curl - ending position
Alternate Hammer Curl
beginner·Dumbbell·isolation
Barbell Curl - starting position
Barbell Curl - ending position
Barbell Curl
beginner·Barbell·isolation

Side-by-Side

Alternate Hammer Curl
VS
Barbell Curl
beginner
Level
beginner
Dumbbell
Equipment
Barbell
isolation
Mechanic
isolation
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
biceps
Primary
biceps
forearms
Secondary
forearms

Muscle Analysis

Shared

bicepsforearms

Instructions

Alternate 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.

Barbell Curl

1

Stand up with your torso upright while holding a barbell at a shoulder-width grip. The palm of your hands should be facing forward and the elbows should be close to the torso. This will be your starting position.

2

While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Tip: Only the forearms should move.

3

Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second and squeeze the biceps hard.

4

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

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the biceps. Alternate Hammer Curl is a beginner exercise using dumbbell, while Barbell Curl is beginner and uses barbell. Choose Alternate Hammer Curl if you have access to dumbbell, or Barbell Curl if you prefer barbell.

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