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Exercise Comparison

Barbell Curl vs Seated Dumbbell Curl

Barbell Curl - starting position
Barbell Curl - ending position
Barbell Curl
beginner·Barbell·isolation
Seated Dumbbell Curl - starting position
Seated Dumbbell Curl - ending position
Seated Dumbbell Curl
beginner·Dumbbell·isolation

Side-by-Side

Barbell Curl
VS
Seated Dumbbell Curl
beginner
Level
beginner
Barbell
Equipment
Dumbbell
isolation
Mechanic
isolation
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
biceps
Primary
biceps
forearms
Secondary
None

Muscle Analysis

Shared

biceps

Only in Barbell Curl

forearms

Instructions

Barbell Curl

1

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.

2

While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Tip: Only the forearms should move.

3

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.

4

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

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Seated Dumbbell Curl

1

Sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell on each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso.

2

Rotate the palms of the hands so that they are facing your torso. This will be your starting position.

3

While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the weights and start twisting the wrists once the dumbbells pass your thighs so that the palms of your hands face forward at the end of the movement. Make sure that you contract the biceps as you breathe out and make sure that only the forearms move. 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.

4

Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position as your breathe in and as you rotate the wrists back to a neutral grip.

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the biceps. Barbell Curl is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Seated Dumbbell Curl is beginner and uses dumbbell. Choose Barbell Curl if you have access to barbell, or Seated Dumbbell Curl if you prefer dumbbell.

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