10 Best Seated Dumbbell Curl Alternatives for Limited Equipment

The Seated Dumbbell Curl is done seated with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Biceps Leg Concentration Curl, the Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl and the Biceps Pull-up.

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

Original Exercise: Seated Dumbbell Curl

Seated Dumbbell Curl
Primary muscle
Biceps
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation
How to perform Seated Dumbbell Curl
  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.
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Ranked Seated Dumbbell Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Seated Dumbbell 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

    83% 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 Dumbbell Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Seated Dumbbell Curl
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Dumbbell Curl
  2. Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps CurlPlay demonstration

    2. Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl

    73% 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 Dumbbell Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Seated Dumbbell Curl
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
  3. Bodyweight Kneeling Triceps ExtensionPlay demonstration

    3. Bodyweight Kneeling Triceps Extension

    42% 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
  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. Biceps Pull-upPlay demonstration

    6. Biceps Pull-up

    37% match
    • Biceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound

    Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the biceps with bodyweight alone.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your palms facing away from you and your hands shoulder-width apart.
    2. Engage your core and pull yourself up by bending your elbows, bringing your chest towards the bar.
    3. Pause at the top of the movement, then slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Seated Dumbbell Curl
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Seated Dumbbell Curl
  7. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip RowPlay demonstration

    7. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip Row

    36% 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 Dumbbell Curl
  8. Three Bench DipPlay demonstration

    8. Three Bench Dip

    36% 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 Dumbbell 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 Dumbbell 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 Dumbbell Curl

Why You Might Need a Seated Dumbbell Curl Alternative

You might substitute the seated dumbbell curl for several reasons: shoulder or elbow pain, no access to dumbbells, training variety, or to target different biceps heads. Shoulders that compensate indicate a need for stricter elbow-fixed variations; tendon pain often responds better to neutral-grip or cable options that alter force path and reduce peak tendon stress. Equipment constraints push you to choose barbells, cables, or bodyweight pulls that preserve elbow flexion torque. Technique cue: control the eccentric for 2–3 seconds and avoid trunk lean to keep the load on the biceps brachii and brachialis instead of using momentum.

Seated Dumbbell Curl FAQ

What muscles does Seated Dumbbell Curl work?

The seated dumbbell curl mainly targets the biceps brachii (long and short heads) through elbow flexion. It also recruits the brachialis and brachioradialis as synergists, while the rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers maintain shoulder position when you keep the upper arm static.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology