10 Best Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl Alternatives for Limited Equipment

If you can't do the Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl, use chin-ups, hammer curls, incline dumbbell curls, cable curls, or preacher curls to hit the biceps. Focus on keeping the elbow fixed and supinating the wrist at the top to maximize biceps brachii activation and limit shoulder substitution.

Original Exercise: Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl

Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl
Primary Muscle
Biceps
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Secondary Muscles: Forearms
How to Perform Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl
  1. Stand (torso upright) with a dumbbell in each hand held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso and the palms of your hand should be facing your thighs.
  2. While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the right weight as you rotate the palm of the hands until they are facing forward. At this point continue contracting the biceps as you breathe out until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
  3. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbell back to the starting position as your breathe in. Tip: Remember to twist the palms back to the starting position (facing your thighs) as you come down.
  4. Repeat the movement with the left hand. This equals one repetition.
  5. Continue alternating in this manner for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Pro Tips
  • Category: Strength
  • Force: Pull
  • Movement type: Isolation

Best Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl Alternatives

Best Match
Dumbbell Zottman Curl

1. Dumbbell Zottman Curl

99.2% Match
Biceps Dumbbell Intermediate Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
  2. Keep your elbows close to your torso and rotate your palms to face forward.
  3. Curl the dumbbells up to your shoulders while keeping your upper arms stationary.
  4. At the top of the movement, rotate your wrists so that your palms are facing away from your body.
  5. Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position, rotating your palms back to facing your body.
Dumbbell Alternate Biceps Curl (with Arm Blaster)

2. Dumbbell Alternate Biceps Curl (with Arm Blaster)

99.2% Match
Biceps Dumbbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward.
  2. Place the arm blaster on your upper arms, ensuring a secure fit.
  3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl one dumbbell up towards your shoulder while contracting your biceps.
  4. Continue to raise the dumbbell until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level.
  5. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
Dumbbell Alternate Biceps Curl

3. Dumbbell Alternate Biceps Curl

98.7% Match
Biceps Dumbbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward and arms fully extended.
  2. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
  3. Continue to raise the dumbbells until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.
  4. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
  5. Inhale and slowly begin to lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
Dumbbell Standing Inner Biceps Curl V. 2

4. Dumbbell Standing Inner Biceps Curl V. 2

98.7% Match
Biceps Dumbbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your torso.
  2. Keep your elbows close to your torso and rotate the palms of your hands until they are facing forward.
  3. While holding your upper arms stationary, curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
  4. Continue to raise the weights until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.
  5. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl

5. Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl

95.2% Match
Biceps Barbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell in each hand, palms facing forward.
  2. Keep your upper arms stationary and exhale as you curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
  3. Continue to raise the barbells until your biceps are fully contracted and the barbells are at shoulder level.
  4. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
  5. Inhale as you slowly begin to lower the barbells back to the starting position.
Alternate Hammer Curl

6. Alternate Hammer Curl

95.2% Match
Biceps Dumbbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. 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.
  2. The palms of the hands should be facing your torso. This will be your starting position.
  3. While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the right weight forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Continue the movement until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the biceps. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
  4. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as your breathe in.
  5. Repeat the movement with the left hand. This equals one repetition.
Dumbbell Cross Body Hammer Curl V. 2

7. Dumbbell Cross Body Hammer Curl V. 2

94.7% Match
Biceps Dumbbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
  2. Keep your elbows close to your torso and your upper arms stationary.
  3. Exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps, bringing the dumbbells as close to your opposite shoulder as possible.
  4. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
  5. Inhale and slowly begin to lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
Close-Grip EZ Bar Curl

8. Close-Grip EZ Bar Curl

93% Match
Biceps Barbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Stand up with your torso upright while holding an E-Z Curl Bar at the closer inner handle. The palm of your hands should be facing forward and they should be slightly tilted inwards due to the shape of the bar. 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.
Close-Grip EZ-Bar Curl With Band

9. Close-Grip EZ-Bar Curl With Band

93% Match
Biceps Ez-barbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Attach a band to each end of the bar. Take the bar, placing a foot on the middle of the band. Stand upright with a narrow, supinated grip on the EZ bar. The elbows should be close to the torso. This will be your starting position.
  2. While keeping the upper arms in place, flex the elbows to execute the curl. Exhale as the weight is lifted.
  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.
Close-Grip Standing Barbell Curl

10. Close-Grip Standing Barbell Curl

93% Match
Biceps Barbell Beginner Isolation
How to perform this exercise
  1. Hold a barbell with both hands, palms up and a few inches apart.
  2. Stand with your torso straight and your head up. Your feet should be about shoulder width and your elbows close to your torso. This will be your starting position. Tip: You will keep your upper arms and elbows stationary throughout the movement.
  3. Curl the bar up in a semicircular motion until the forearms touch your biceps. Exhale as you perform this portion of the movement and contract your biceps hard for a second at the top. Tip: Avoid bending the back or using swinging motions as you lift the weight. Only the forearms should move.
  4. Slowly go back down to the starting position as you inhale.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Why You Might Need a Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl Alternative

You might substitute the Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl due to wrist pain, limited dumbbells, shoulder irritation, or the need for different stressors. For wrist or forearm pain use a neutral (hammer) grip to shift load to the brachialis and brachioradialis. If you lack free weights, cables or bands keep constant tension and preserve elbow flexion mechanics. To emphasize peak contraction pick preacher or concentration curls; to build thickness use chin-ups or heavy hammer curls to increase elbow flexion torque. Cue a pinned elbow and controlled eccentric to keep biceps brachii engaged and reduce unwanted shoulder involvement.

How to Choose the Right Substitute

Choose a substitute based on equipment, pain, and training goal. If you have wrist or supination issues pick neutral-grip hammer curls or machine curls to reduce stress on the distal radioulnar joint and emphasize brachialis activation. For isolated peak contraction use preacher or concentration curls and a slow 3-second eccentric to increase time under tension. Want carryover to lifts? Select chin-ups or heavy barbell curls to boost overall elbow flexion torque and motor unit recruitment. Always keep the elbow stable and prioritize full range of motion to maximize biceps recruitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl work?

The primary mover is the biceps brachii (long and short heads), with secondary involvement from the brachialis and brachioradialis. Supinating the forearm at the top increases biceps brachii activation; keep your elbow pinned to the side to avoid shoulder contribution.

What is the best bodyweight alternative to Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl?

The best bodyweight alternative is the chin-up with a supinated (underhand) grip. Pull with your elbows driving down and back and squeeze at the top—this preserves elbow flexion mechanics and provides high biceps activation without weights.

Can I build muscle without doing Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl?

Yes. You can build biceps with chin-ups, hammer curls, preacher curls, and progressive overload using bands or cables. Focus on full range of motion, controlled eccentrics, and supinating the wrist at peak contraction to maximize biceps recruitment.

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