10 Best Alternatives to Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl

The Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl is done seated with a barbell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Biceps Leg Concentration Curl and the Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl.

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

Original Exercise: Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl

Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
Primary muscle
Biceps
Equipment
Barbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation
How to perform Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
  1. Sit down on a flat bench with a barbell or E-Z Bar in front of you in between your legs. Your legs should be spread with the knees bent and the feet on the floor.
  2. Use your arms to pick the barbell up and place the back of your upper arms on top of your inner thighs (around three and a half inches away from the front of the knee). A supinated grip closer than shoulder width is needed to perform this exercise. Tip: Your arm should be extended at arms length and the barbell should be above the floor. This will be your starting position.
  3. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward 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 biceps.
  4. Slowly begin to bring the barbell back to starting position as your breathe in. Tip: Avoid swinging motions at any time.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
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Ranked Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell 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
    Biceps Leg Concentration CurlPlay demonstration

    1. Biceps Leg Concentration Curl

    80% match
    • Biceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    Pick this when you want to work the biceps one side at a time.

    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 Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
  2. Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps CurlPlay demonstration

    2. Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl

    71% 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 Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
  3. Bodyweight Kneeling Triceps ExtensionPlay demonstration

    3. Bodyweight Kneeling Triceps Extension

    41% 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 seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
  4. HyperextensionPlay demonstration

    4. Hyperextension

    37% match
    • Spine
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the spinal erectors rather than the biceps.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the hyperextension bench so that your upper thighs are resting on the pad and your feet are secured.
    2. Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
    3. Lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then raise your upper body back up until it is in line with your legs.
    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: spine, not biceps
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not seated
  5. Hyperextension (On Bench)Play demonstration

    5. Hyperextension (On Bench)

    37% match
    • Spine
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the hyperextension bench so that your hips are resting comfortably on the pad and your feet are secured.
    2. Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
    3. Slowly lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then raise your upper body back up until it is in line with your legs.
    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: spine, not biceps
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: lying face down, not seated
  6. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip RowPlay demonstration

    6. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip Row

    37% 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, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
  7. Triceps Dips FloorPlay demonstration

    7. Triceps Dips Floor

    36% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the edge of a chair or bench with your hands next to your hips, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Slide your butt off the front of the chair with your legs extended in front of you.
    3. Straighten your arms, keeping a little bend in your elbows to keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints.
    4. Slowly bend your elbows to lower your body toward the floor until your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle.
    5. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, press down into the chair to straighten your elbows, returning 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: seated, the same as the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
  8. Three Bench DipPlay demonstration

    8. Three Bench Dip

    35% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
    2. Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your body until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
    4. Push yourself 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: triceps, not biceps
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
  9. ElevatorPlay demonstration

    9. Elevator

    35% match
    • Upper Back
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    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, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl
  10. Inverted RowPlay demonstration

    10. Inverted Row

    35% match
    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up a bar at waist height or use a suspension trainer.
    2. Stand facing the bar or suspension trainer, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Grab the bar or handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Lean back, keeping your body straight and your heels on the ground.
    5. Pull your chest towards the bar or handles, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
    7. 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: hanging, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl

Why You Might Need a Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl Alternative

You may substitute the Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl for several practical reasons: no barbell available, wrist or elbow pain from heavy supination torque, or a desire to emphasize a different biceps head. For example, a neutral-grip hammer curl reduces supination load and shifts activation toward the brachialis; cue: keep the thumb-up and avoid shoulder swing. Cable rope curls maintain constant tension and let you control the line of pull to target the short head. Choose a substitute that reduces joint stress or better matches your equipment while preserving isolated elbow flexion and peak biceps contraction.

Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl FAQ

What muscles does Seated Close-grip Concentration Barbell Curl work?

The move primarily targets the biceps brachii, with a stronger short-head emphasis from the close grip; the brachialis and brachioradialis assist. Cue: keep the elbow fixed and supinate the wrist during the concentric to maximize biceps activation and minimize shoulder involvement.

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