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Exercise Comparison

Alternate Hammer Curl vs Spider Curl

Alternate Hammer Curl - starting position
Alternate Hammer Curl - ending position
Alternate Hammer Curl
beginner·Dumbbell·isolation
Spider Curl - starting position
Spider Curl - ending position
Spider Curl
beginner·E-z curl bar·isolation

Side-by-Side

Alternate Hammer Curl
VS
Spider Curl
beginner
Level
beginner
Dumbbell
Equipment
E-z curl bar
isolation
Mechanic
isolation
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
biceps
Primary
biceps
forearms
Secondary
None

Muscle Analysis

Shared

biceps

Only in Alternate Hammer Curl

forearms

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.

Spider Curl

1

Start out by setting the bar on the part of the preacher bench that you would normally sit on. Make sure to align the barbell properly so that it is balanced and will not fall off.

2

Move to the front side of the preacher bench (the part where the arms usually lay) and position yourself to lay at a 45 degree slant with your torso and stomach pressed against the front side of the preacher bench.

3

Make sure that your feet (especially the toes) are well positioned on the floor and place your upper arms on top of the pad located on the inside part of the preacher bench.

4

Use your arms to grab the barbell with a supinated grip (palms facing up) at about shoulder width apart or slightly closer from each other.

5

Slowly begin to lift the barbell upwards and exhale. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps.

6

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

7

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the biceps. Alternate Hammer Curl is a beginner exercise using dumbbell, while Spider Curl is beginner and uses e-z curl bar. Choose Alternate Hammer Curl if you have access to dumbbell, or Spider Curl if you prefer e-z curl bar.

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