Dumbbell Bicep Curl vs Cable Hammer Curl

Which one fits your Biceps workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Dumbbell Bicep Curl more often — 31,233 sessions vs 4,647. Compare Biceps form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Dumbbell Bicep Curl vs Cable Hammer 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 4,647 for Cable Hammer Curl.

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

What differsDumbbell Bicep CurlCable Hammer Curl
Equipmenta dumbbella machine
Difficulty2 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users31,233 sessions4,647 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Dumbbell Bicep Curl or Cable Hammer 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 Cable Hammer Curl

Cable Hammer Curl demo video

Cable Hammer Curl Muscles Worked: Biceps

Form

  1. 1. Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and grab the cable with your palms facing your body.
  2. 2. Fix your elbows at your sides, perpendicular to the ground, and bend your arms until the cable reaches shoulder height.
  3. 3. Keep your elbows and shoulders still while slowly lowering the cable, feeling the resistance.
  4. 4. Do not fully extend your arms; keep them slightly bent to maximize relaxation.

Coach's Tips

  1. Be careful not to move your wrist excessively and keep your elbow fixed.

For a full Cable Hammer Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Hammer Curl exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Cable Hammer Curl?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Biceps, Dumbbell Bicep Curl or Cable Hammer Curl?

Planfit users log Dumbbell Bicep Curl more often — 31,233 sessions against 4,647 for Cable Hammer 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 Cable Hammer Curl need?

Dumbbell Bicep Curl needs a dumbbell, and Cable Hammer Curl needs a machine.

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