Exercise Comparison
Alternate Hammer Curl vs Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Alternate Hammer Curl
Instructions
Alternate Hammer Curl
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.
The palms of the hands should be facing your torso. This will be your starting position.
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.
Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as your breathe in.
Repeat the movement with the left hand. This equals one repetition.
Continue alternating in this manner for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment
Attach a rope attachment to a low pulley and stand facing the machine about 12 inches away from it.
Grasp the rope with a neutral (palms-in) grip and stand straight up keeping the natural arch of the back and your torso stationary.
Put your elbows in by your side and keep them there stationary during the entire movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move; not your upper arms. This will be your starting position.
Using your biceps, pull your arms up as you exhale until your biceps touch your forearms. Tip: Remember to keep the elbows in and your upper arms stationary.
After a 1 second contraction where you squeeze your biceps, slowly start to bring the weight back to the original position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the biceps. Alternate Hammer Curl is a beginner exercise using dumbbell, while Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment is beginner and uses cable. Choose Alternate Hammer Curl if you have access to dumbbell, or Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment if you prefer cable.