10 Best Dumbbell High Curl Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Dumbbell High Curl is done standing with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Dumbbell Standing Biceps Curl, the Ez-bar Curl and the Dumbbell Biceps Curl.

Dumbbell High CurlWatch the Dumbbell High Curl

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Dumbbell High Curl

The steps for the Dumbbell High Curl itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Biceps, with forearms · Dumbbell · Beginner · Isolation

  1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward.
  2. Keep your upper arms stationary and curl the dumbbells as high as possible while contracting your biceps.
  3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Dumbbell High Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell High Curl on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Dumbbell Standing Biceps CurlPlay demonstration

    1. Dumbbell Standing Biceps Curl

    99% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the biceps.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    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.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
  2. Ez-bar Curl

    2. Ez-bar Curl

    99% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    A good swap when you have an EZ bar to work with, and it still works the biceps.

    • Ez-barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Stand up straight while holding an EZ curl bar at the wide outer handle. The palms of your hands should be facing forward and slightly tilted inward due to the shape of the bar. Keep your elbows close to your torso. This will be your starting position.
    2. Now, while keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps. Focus on only moving your forearms.
    3. Continue to raise the weight until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the top contracted position for a moment and squeeze the biceps.
    4. Then inhale and slowly lower the bar back to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
  6. Barbell Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster)Play demonstration

    6. Barbell Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster)

    99% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the biceps.

    • Barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with an underhand grip, palms facing up.
    2. Place your upper arms against the arm blaster, keeping your elbows close to your torso.
    3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
    4. Continue to raise the barbell until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level.
    5. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
    6. Inhale and slowly begin to lower the barbell back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell High Curl

Dumbbell High Curl FAQ

What muscles does Dumbbell High Curl work?

The Dumbbell High Curl primarily targets the biceps brachii (both long and short heads) and secondarily the brachialis and brachioradialis. Supinating the forearm at the top increases biceps long-head activation; cue: squeeze the biceps peak while keeping the elbow steady to avoid shoulder involvement.

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