Dumbbell Bicep Curl vs Barbell Reverse Curl

Which one fits your Biceps workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Dumbbell Bicep Curl more often — 31,233 sessions vs 446. Compare Biceps form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Dumbbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Reverse Curl and pick the one that fits your Biceps workout.

Dumbbell Bicep Curl vs Barbell Reverse 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 446 for Barbell Reverse Curl.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Dumbbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Reverse 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 Reverse Curl Differ

What differsDumbbell Bicep CurlBarbell Reverse Curl
Equipmenta dumbbella barbell
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users31,233 sessions446 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Dumbbell Bicep Curl or Barbell Reverse Curl fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Dumbbell Bicep Curl

Dumbbell Bicep Curl demo video

Dumbbell Bicep Curl Muscles Worked: Biceps

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the dumbbell while keeping your elbows and shoulders fixed.
  2. 2. As you lift, rotate your palms to face your body to maximize the contraction of your biceps.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
  4. 4. When lowering the dumbbell, do not lower it completely; lower it just enough so that your biceps do not relax.

Coach's Tips

  1. 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.

Want to learn more about Dumbbell Bicep Curl?Exercise Guide

How to Do Barbell Reverse Curl

Barbell Reverse Curl demo video

Barbell Reverse Curl Muscles Worked: Biceps

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell while keeping your elbows and shoulders fixed.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
  3. 3. When lowering the barbell, do not lower it completely; lower it just enough so that your biceps do not relax.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Maintain a natural grip to avoid bending your wrist.
  2. 2. Keep your shoulders fixed and not raised.

For a full Barbell Reverse Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Reverse Curl exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Barbell Reverse Curl?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Biceps, Dumbbell Bicep Curl or Barbell Reverse Curl?

Planfit users log Dumbbell Bicep Curl more often — 31,233 sessions against 446 for Barbell Reverse 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 Reverse Curl need?

Dumbbell Bicep Curl needs a dumbbell, and Barbell Reverse Curl needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Dumbbell Bicep Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Reverse Curl once your form holds up.

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