Exercise Comparison
Barbell Curl vs Lying Supine Dumbbell Curl




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.
Lying Supine Dumbbell Curl
Lie down on a flat bench face up while holding a dumbbell in each arm on top of your thighs.
Bring the dumbbells to the sides with the arms extended and the palms of the hands facing your thighs (neutral grip).
While keeping the arms close to your torso and elbows in, slowly lower your arms (as you keep them extended with a slight bend at the elbows) as far down towards the floor as you can go. Once you cannot go down any further, lock your upper arms in that position and that will be your starting position.
As you breathe out, slowly begin to curl the weights up as you simultaneously rotate your wrists so that the palms of the hands face up. Continue curling the weight until your biceps are fully contracted and squeeze hard at the top position for a second. Tip: Only the forearms should move. Upper arms should remain stationary and elbows should stay in throughout the movement.
Return back to the starting position very slowly.
Verdict
Both exercises target the biceps. Barbell Curl is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Lying Supine Dumbbell Curl is beginner and uses dumbbell. Choose Barbell Curl if you have access to barbell, or Lying Supine Dumbbell Curl if you prefer dumbbell.