10 Best Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl Alternatives for Limited Equipment

Ranked Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Biceps Leg Concentration Curl

   70% match

   • Biceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the biceps with bodyweight alone.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your legs spread apart and your feet flat on the ground.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand and place your elbow on the inside of your thigh, just above the knee.
   3. With your palm facing up, curl the dumbbell towards your shoulder while keeping your upper arm stationary.
   4. Squeeze your biceps at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, not standing
2. Play demonstration

   2. Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl

   70% match

   • Biceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on your side with your legs extended and your head supported by your arm.
   2. Hold your upper arm against your side and bend your elbow to curl your forearm towards your shoulder.
   3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your forearm back down to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
3. Play demonstration

   3. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip Row

   34% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the lats rather than the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
   2. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
   3. Extend your arms straight in front of you, gripping the bar or handles with a close grip.
   4. Pull the bar or handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly release and return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
4. Play demonstration

   4. Elevator

   33% match

   • Upper Back
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the upper back rather than the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
   2. Place your hands on your hips or cross them in front of your chest.
   3. Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your upper body towards the ground.
   4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly raise your upper body back up to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: upper back, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
5. Play demonstration

   5. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip One Arm Row

   33% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a dumbbell in one hand with a neutral grip.
   2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
   3. Pull the dumbbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
6. Play demonstration

   6. Bodyweight Kneeling Triceps Extension

   32% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Kneel down on the ground with your knees hip-width apart.
   2. Place your hands on the ground in front of you, shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
   3. Extend your legs straight behind you, balancing on your toes and hands, forming a straight line from head to heels.
   4. Bend your elbows and lower your upper body towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
   5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: kneeling, not standing
7. Play demonstration

   7. Bodyweight Standing Row

   32% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
   2. Grasp a bar or handles with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
   3. Keep your back straight and core engaged.
   4. Pull the bar or handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement.
   6. Slowly release and extend your arms back to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
8. 

   8. Linear 3-part Start Technique

   31% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. This drill helps you accelerate as quickly as possible into a sprint from a dead stop. It helps to use a line to start from. Begin with two feet on the line. Place your left foot with the toe next to your right ankle. Place your right foot 4-6 inches behind the left.
   2. Place your right hand onto the line, and thing bring your nose close to your left knee.
   3. Squat down as you lean foward, your head being lower than your hips and your weight loaded onto the left leg. This will be your starting position.
   4. Take your left hand up so that it is parallel to the ground, pointing behind you, and explode out when ready.

   Sets and reps: Work for 30 to 60 seconds, rest as long as you worked, and repeat 6 to 10 times.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
9. Play demonstration

   9. Bodyweight Standing Row (With Towel)

   31% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a towel in front of you with both hands.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
   3. Pull the towel towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly release the tension and return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
10. Play demonstration

    10. One Arm Towel Row

    31% match

    • Upper Back
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a towel with one hand.
    2. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Extend your arm fully, allowing the towel to hang in front of you.
    4. Pull the towel towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the towel back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: upper back, not biceps
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl