Exercise Comparison
Barbell Curl vs Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Barbell Curl
Instructions
Barbell Curl
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.
While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
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.
Slowly begin to bring the bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
Repeat 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. Barbell Curl is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment is beginner and uses cable. Choose Barbell Curl if you have access to barbell, or Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment if you prefer cable.