Exercise Comparison
Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline vs Zottman Curl




Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Zottman Curl
Instructions
Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline
Lie against an incline bench, with your arms holding a barbell and hanging down in a horizontal line. This will be your starting position.
While keeping the upper arms stationary, curl the weight up as high as you can while squeezing the biceps. Breathe out as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move. Do not swing the arms.
After a second contraction, slowly go back to the starting position as you inhale. Tip: Make sure that you go all of the way down.
Repeat 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. Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Zottman Curl is intermediate and uses dumbbell. Choose Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Zottman Curl for a greater challenge.