10 Best Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl is done standing with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Barbell Standing Reverse Grip Curl, the Reverse Barbell Curl and Reverse Plate Curls.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl

Primary muscle
Biceps
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Forearms

How to perform Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
  1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body 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.
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Ranked Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Reverse Spider 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. Reverse Barbell Curl
    • Biceps
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand up with your torso upright while holding a barbell at shoulder width with the elbows close to the torso. The palm of your hands should be facing down (pronated grip). This will be your starting position.
    2. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the muscle.
    3. Slowly begin to bring the bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
    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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
  2. Reverse Plate Curls
    • Biceps
    • Other
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by standing straight with a weighted plate held by both hands and arms fully extended. Use a pronated grip (palms facing down) and make sure your fingers grab the rough side of the plate while your thumb grabs the smooth side. Note: For the best results, grab the weighted plate at an 11:00 and 1:00 o'clock position.
    2. Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other and the weighted plate should be near the groin area. This is the starting position.
    3. Slowly lift the plate up while keeping the elbows in and the upper arms stationary until your biceps and forearms touch while exhaling. The plate should be evenly aligned with your torso at this point.
    4. Feel the contraction for a second and begin to lower the weight back down to the starting position while inhaling
    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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Biceps
    • Ez-barbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the ez barbell with an underhand grip.
    2. Keep your elbows close to your torso and your upper arms stationary throughout the exercise.
    3. Curl the barbell upwards by contracting your biceps, while exhaling.
    4. Continue to raise the barbell until your biceps are fully contracted and the barbell is at shoulder level.
    5. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
    6. Slowly begin to bring the barbell back to the starting position as you inhale.
    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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Biceps
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing down 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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Biceps
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing down and arms fully extended.
    2. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
    3. Continue to raise the weights 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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
  3. Standing Dumbbell Reverse Curl
    • Biceps
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. To begin, stand straight with a dumbbell in each hand using a pronated grip (palms facing down). Your arms should be fully extended while your feet are shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position.
    2. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. 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 muscle.
    3. Slowly begin to bring the dumbbells back to starting position as your breathe in.
    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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Biceps
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with an overhand grip, hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Let the barbell hang at arm's length in front of your thighs, with your palms facing away from your body.
    3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the barbell upward by contracting your biceps.
    4. Continue to raise the barbell until your biceps are fully contracted and the barbell 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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Biceps
    • Barbell
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with an underhand grip, hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Keep your back straight and your elbows close to your torso.
    3. Exhale and curl the barbell up towards your shoulders, keeping your upper arms stationary.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, squeezing your biceps.
    5. Inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
    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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Biceps
    • Ez-barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the ez barbell with an underhand grip, hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Keep your elbows close to your torso and your upper arms stationary throughout the movement.
    3. Curl the barbell up towards your shoulders by contracting your biceps.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back 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 Reverse Spider Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl

Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl FAQ

What muscles does Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl work?

The Dumbbell Reverse Spider Curl primarily targets the brachialis and brachioradialis with secondary activation of the biceps brachii. Using a pronated grip increases forearm extensor involvement; cue a fixed elbow and full elbow flexion to maximize brachialis recruitment.

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