10 Best Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl Alternatives for Home Gyms

Ranked Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Incline 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. Barbell Seated Close-grip Concentration Curl

   97% match

   • Biceps
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

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

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the floor and hold a barbell with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
   2. Rest your upper arms against your inner thighs, just above your knees, and let the barbell hang down in front of you.
   3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the barbell up towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
   4. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause, then inhale and slowly lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
   5. 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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
2. Play demonstration

   2. Barbell Reverse Preacher Curl

   95% match

   • Biceps
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a preacher bench with your chest against the pad and your arms extended straight down, holding a barbell with an overhand grip.
   2. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the barbell upward while contracting your biceps.
   3. Continue to raise the barbell until your biceps are fully contracted and the barbell is at shoulder level.
   4. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
   5. Inhale and slowly lower the barbell 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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
3. 

   3. Seated Dumbbell Curl

   95% match

   • Biceps
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell on each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso.
   2. Rotate the palms of the hands so that they are facing your torso. This will be your starting position.
   3. While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the weights and start twisting the wrists once the dumbbells pass your thighs so that the palms of your hands face forward at the end of the movement. Make sure that you contract the biceps as you breathe out and make sure that only the forearms move. 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.
   4. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position as your breathe in and as you rotate the wrists back to a neutral grip.
   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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
4. 

   4. Seated Dumbbell Inner Biceps Curl

   95% match

   • Biceps
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on the end of a flat bench with a dumbbell in each hand being held at arms length. The elbows should be close to the torso.
   2. Rotate the palms of the hands so that they are facing inward in a neutral position. This will be your starting position.
   3. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the dumbbells out and up, turning the palms out as you lift and keeping your forearms in line with your outer deltoids. Tips:
   4. Only the forearms should move. 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.
   5. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to the starting position as your breathe in. Remember to rotate your arms as you lower the dumbbells so that you can switch back to a neutral grip.
   6. 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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
5. Play demonstration

   5. Dumbbell Preacher Curl

   94% match

   • Biceps
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a preacher curl bench with your upper arms resting on the pad and your chest against it.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing up and your arms fully extended.
   3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
   4. Continue to raise the dumbbells 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.
   6. Inhale and slowly begin to lower the dumbbells 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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
6. Play demonstration

   6. Dumbbell Seated Bicep Curl

   94% match

   • Biceps
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing up.
   2. Keep your back straight and your elbows close to your torso.
   3. Exhale and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
   5. 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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
7. Play demonstration

   7. Dumbbell Seated Preacher Curl

   94% match

   • Biceps
   • Dumbbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   It uses the same equipment and still works the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a preacher curl bench with your feet flat on the floor.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand with an underhand grip, resting your upper arm against the preacher pad.
   3. Keeping your upper arm stationary, exhale and curl the dumbbell up towards your shoulder.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

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

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
8. 

   8. Two-arm Dumbbell Preacher Curl

   94% match

   • Biceps
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Grab a dumbbell with each arm and place the upper arms on top of the preacher bench or the incline bench. The dumbbell should be held at shoulder length. This will be your starting position.
   2. As you breathe in, slowly lower the dumbbells until your upper arm is extended and the biceps is fully stretched.
   3. As you exhale, use the biceps to curl the weights up until your biceps is fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder height.
   4. Squeeze the biceps hard for a second at the contracted position and 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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
9. 

   9. Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline

   94% match

   • Biceps
   • Barbell
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie against an incline bench, with your arms holding a barbell and hanging down in a horizontal line. This will be your starting position.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. 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 Incline Biceps Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
10. Play demonstration

    10. Barbell Lying Preacher Curl

    94% match

    • Biceps
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Sit on a preacher bench with your chest against the pad and your arms extended over the edge, holding a barbell with an underhand grip.
    2. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
    3. Continue to raise the bar until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is 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 barbell 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 Incline Biceps Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Dumbbell Incline Biceps Curl