While there is more core engagement for bicep curls standing, this isn’t usually the goal for bicep training. Therefore, seated bicep curls are a much better option for bicep growth and isolation. As well, standing bicep curls are more prone to ‘swaying’, which decreases the activation of the bicep muscle.
Table of Contents
What muscles do lying bicep curls work?
- Also Known As: Supine curl.
- Main Muscles: Biceps brachii.
- Secondary Muscles: Brachioradialis, brachialis, forearm flexors.
- Exercise Type: Strength.
- Exercise Mechanics: Isolation.
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate.
- Equipment Needed: Dumbbells.
Are cable bicep curls effective?
According to research by ACE, the cable curl is one of the most effective exercises you can do to activate the biceps muscles, coming in only behind the concentration curl (1). Strong biceps are important for several reasons. The major job of the biceps muscles is to help bend your elbows and rotate your forearms.
Can I do bicep curls while lying down?
Lie on a bench holding a dumbbell in either hand at your chest, as though already in a bicep curl position. Slowly lower the weights towards the floor using your bicep muscle. Return the weights to your chest and repeat.
Are cable curls better than dumbbell?
Cable curls elicit a more powerful muscle pump than dumbbells because they provide your biceps with constant tension.
Do cable curls work long head?
Cable Bayesian Curl Another way to work the long head is by facing away from the low cable using a single-hand attachment. Grab the handle with an underhand grip and step forward with your back to the pulley. This starting position should place your elbow behind your torso like an incline curl.
How much weight should I curl to get big arms?
Do it: Select a load that’s 10 to 20 percent heavier than you can normally curl for 5 reps. (You may have to use momentum to propel the weights up to the top of the curl.) Slowly lower the weights, taking at least 5 seconds. That’s 1 rep.
Which is better barbell curl or cable curl?
So since barbells require the most work from your stabilizer muscles, it follows that barbell curls are superior to cable curls for gaining brute strength in the gym. They’re also marginally easier to microload with fractional plates.
Which is better hammer curls or bicep curls?
Hammer Curls โ Which One Is Better? In the matchup against bicep curls vs. hammer curls, the latter is the clear winner for getting bigger muscles faster. Hammer curls work more muscle groups and work the biceps in ways that regular bicep curls do not.
Can you build biceps with cables?

Are seated hammer curls better?
Seated hammer curls are a bodybuilder’s best friend because they isolate your biceps, brachialis, and brachioradialis better than any other type of hammer curl.
What is a supine curl?
Lie back on floor with arms to sides. Execution. With elbows to side, pull bar until elbows are flexed. Lower until arms are fully extended. Repeat.
What is the best bicep exercise?
- Barbell Curl.
- Chin-Up.
- EZ-Bar Preacher Curl.
- Hammer Curl.
- Incline Dumbbell Curl.
- Facing-Away Cable Curl.
- Reverse-Grip Bent-Over Row.
- Cable Curl.
What muscles do cable curls work?
Cable curls target the biceps brachii. This muscle bends your elbow and rotates your forearm, plus it’s the one that fills out your sleeve. Standing cable curls also work your brachialis (which flexes the elbow), forearm muscles, and even your core, since you need to stabilize during the movement.
Why cables are better than free weights?
“Cables are a lot more fluid and smooth than free weights,” says Sims. “Using a series of pulleys means you’re less likely to get hurt as you don’t directly push or pull against the force of gravity,” explains Sims. This puts less stress on your joints for safer sets and reps.
How do you work all 3 bicep heads?
The best way to make the perfect biceps workout is to get the muscle working through all three of its key functions โ twisting the forearm, bending the elbow, and flexing the shoulder. Curls are going to be the basis of each move because you’re working a hinge joint.
How can I make my biceps wider?
- Hammer curl.
- Alternating crossbody hammer curl.
- Rope crossbody hammer curl.
- Concentration curl.
- Incline dumbbell curl.
- Wide grip cable preacher curl.
- Incline reverse grip cable curls.
- Reverse EZ bar spider curl.
How can I increase my biceps peak size?
- SPIDER CURLS. These are essentially the same as a preacher curl.
- HIGH CABLE CURLS. On this exercise, put the cables above your head and take a slight step forward.
- INCLINE CURLS.
- STRICT BARBELL CURLS.
- DRAG CURLS.
- CONCENTRATION CURLS.
Do you have to lift heavy to get big biceps?
But to build bigger biceps and triceps you have to focus on perfect form, moving through a full range of motion and, crucially, never lifting too heavy. The key to adding arm size is to getting a good pump through lifting lighter for longer โ and executing every rep as perfectly as possible.”
What can the average man dumbbell curl?
What is the average Dumbbell Curl? The average Dumbbell Curl weight for a male lifter is 52 lb (1RM). This makes you Intermediate on Strength Level and is a very impressive lift.
How much can the average man curl?
According to Weis, men up to 120 pounds should be able to curl 70 pounds; men 121 to 135 pounds should be able to lift 85 pounds; men 136 to 155 pounds should ideally lift 105; men 156 to 170 pounds should lift 120 pounds; men 171 to 185 pounds should lift 135 pounds; men 186 to 205 pounds should lift 155; men 206 to …
Is an EZ bar better than dumbbells?
One set of 10 repetitions using a relatively light weight was performed for each exercise. What they found was both the EZ bar curl and the barbell curl had higher muscle activation of the biceps than the dumbbell curl. And the EZ bar slightly outdid the barbell curl, but only by a tiny (insignificant) margin.
What happens if you do bicep curls everyday?
Doing bicep curls every day will increase the exposure to stimuli that will promote muscular growth. While the biceps are a smaller muscle group, this allows for faster recovery times between each session to allow for greater total volume throughout a given week.
What is an impressive bicep curl?
A good bicep curl weight for a woman who performs strength training is 50 lbs for a one-rep max. For sets of 6-10 reps, 40 lbs is a good curling weight providing that strict form is used.
What do spider curls work?
Spider curls isolate muscle groups in your arms. You can build bigger biceps by performing spider curls, which target both the long head and short head of the biceps brachii muscles. Secondarily, spider curls activate your triceps and brachialis, an important elbow flexor muscle.