Dumbbell Bicep Curl vs Barbell Preacher Curl
Which one fits your Biceps workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Dumbbell Bicep Curl more often — 31,233 sessions vs 541. Compare Biceps form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Dumbbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Preacher Curl and pick the one that fits your Biceps workout.
Dumbbell Bicep Curl vs Barbell Preacher Curl: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Dumbbell Bicep Curl more often — 31,233 sessions compared to 541 for Barbell Preacher Curl.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Dumbbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Preacher Curl differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Dumbbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Preacher Curl Differ
| What differs | Dumbbell Bicep Curl | Barbell Preacher Curl |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a dumbbell | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 31,233 sessions | 541 sessions |
How to Do Dumbbell Bicep Curl
Dumbbell Bicep Curl Muscles Worked: Biceps
Form
- 1. Please lift the dumbbell while keeping your elbows and shoulders fixed.
- 2. As you lift, rotate your palms to face your body to maximize the contraction of your biceps.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 4. When lowering the dumbbell, do not lower it completely; lower it just enough so that your biceps do not relax.
Coach's Tips
- It is fine to proceed with both sides at once, but if you do it one side at a time, you can feel a more concentrated contraction.
For a full Dumbbell Bicep Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dumbbell Bicep Curl exercise guide.
How to Do Barbell Preacher Curl
Barbell Preacher Curl Muscles Worked: Biceps
Form
- 1. Press your armpits against the pad.
- 2. Grab the barbell with shoulder-width grip, palms facing up.
- 3. Lift the barbell using only your biceps without any body or shoulder momentum.
- 4. Slowly lower the barbell while feeling the resistance of the weight, keeping your shoulders and elbows fixed.
- 5. Do not fully extend your arms; keep them slightly bent to maximize relaxation.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Fix your elbows on the pad and control the weight slowly.
- 2. If you straighten your arms too much, it puts strain on your elbow joints, and using body momentum puts strain on your lower back.
- 3. If you feel pain, lower the weight by 10–20%.
For a full Barbell Preacher Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Preacher Curl exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Biceps, Dumbbell Bicep Curl or Barbell Preacher Curl?
Planfit users log Dumbbell Bicep Curl more often — 31,233 sessions against 541 for Barbell Preacher Curl. Both train Biceps, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Dumbbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Preacher Curl need?
Dumbbell Bicep Curl needs a dumbbell, and Barbell Preacher Curl needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Dumbbell Bicep Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Preacher Curl once your form holds up.
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