Exercise Comparison
Alternate Hammer Curl vs Zottman Curl




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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.
Zottman 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.
Make sure the palms of the hands are facing each other. This will be your starting position.
While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the weights while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Only the forearms should move. Your wrist should rotate so that you have a supinated (palms up) grip. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.
Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps.
Now during the contracted position, rotate your wrist until you now have a pronated (palms facing down) grip with the thumb at a higher position than the pinky.
Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back down using the pronated grip.
As the dumbbells close your thighs, start rotating the wrist so that you go back to a neutral (palms facing your body) grip.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the biceps. Alternate Hammer Curl is a beginner exercise using dumbbell, while Zottman Curl is intermediate and uses dumbbell. Choose Alternate Hammer Curl if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Zottman Curl for a greater challenge.