Hammer Curls

How to do the Hammer Curls

1. Stand up with your torso upright and a dumbbell on each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso.
2. The palms of the hands should be facing your torso. This will be your starting position.
3. Now, while holding your upper arm stationary, exhale and curl the weight forward while contracting the biceps. Continue to raise the weight until the biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a brief moment as you squeeze the biceps. Tip: Focus on keeping the elbow stationary and only moving your forearm.
4. After the brief pause, inhale and slowly begin the lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Role	Muscles
Primary	biceps
Equipment	dumbbell
Difficulty	beginner
Type	isolation

No dumbbell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Barbell Curl Barbell Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline Barbell Close-Grip EZ Bar Curl Barbell Close-Grip Standing Barbell Curl Barbell Lying High Bench Barbell Curl Barbell Preacher Curl Barbell

Harder than the Hammer Curls

High Cable Curls intermediate · Cable Machine Drag Curl intermediate · Barbell Zottman Preacher Curl intermediate · Dumbbell

Superset the Hammer Curls with

Opposing triceps work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Decline Dumbbell Triceps Extension triceps Dumbbell Tricep Extension -Pronated Grip triceps One Arm Pronated Dumbbell Triceps Extension triceps One Arm Supinated Dumbbell Triceps Extension triceps

Common questions

What muscles does the Hammer Curls work?

The Hammer Curls primarily works the biceps. Alternate Hammer Curl, Alternate Incline Dumbbell Curl, and Barbell Curl train the same muscle, across 8 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Hammer Curls?

Dumbbells. Without dumbbells, Barbell Curl, Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline, and Close-Grip EZ Bar Curl train the same muscle, and 1 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Hammer Curls suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Hammer Curls is rated beginner. High Cable Curls, Drag Curl, and Zottman Preacher Curl are the progressions from here.

Where should the Hammer Curls go in a workout?

Late — the Hammer Curls is isolation work, so it follows your compounds. Supersetting it with Decline Dumbbell Triceps Extension and Dumbbell Tricep Extension -Pronated Grip cuts session time without extra rest.

Similar exercises

Alternate Hammer Curl Dumbbell Alternate Incline Dumbbell Curl Dumbbell Barbell Curl Barbell Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline Barbell Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment Cable Machine Cable Preacher Curl Cable Machine