Seated at the preacher bench, the backs of the upper arms on the pad, the dumbbells lower until the arms are long and curl back up: Oliveira found the preacher curl works the biceps hardest early in the lift, and ACE's study tested it among its curls.
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Biceps curl family
Dumbbell preacher curl
Standard option
These tiers compare demands within this family, not universal safety or a mandatory sequence. Load, range, balance and your circumstances can change difficulty. Choose deliberately; pain does not select a progression.
Seated at the preacher bench, the backs of the upper arms on the pad, the dumbbells lower until the arms are long and curl back up: Oliveira found the preacher curl works the biceps hardest early in the lift, and ACE's study tested it among its curls.
DemandMedium
Equipment requiredA dumbbell + A bench or box
Muscle focusBiceps · Forearms
The figure gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.
Watch this variation on the 3D figure above: it gets into position, then repeats the movement.
Source-researched guide. Clinical review is pending.
How to move
Sit at the preacher bench with the backs of the upper arms on the pad, a dumbbell in each hand palms up.
Lower the dumbbells slowly until the arms are long.
Curl them back up toward the shoulders, the upper arms on the pad.
Form cues
Don't snap the elbows straight at the bottom.
Use a lighter weight than standing.
Practice and cautions
No universal dose is assigned. Choose a manageable amount for your current capacity, leave room for controlled repetitions, and allow recovery. A clinician’s individual plan takes priority.
This is movement education, not an assessment or treatment prescription. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling; seek individual guidance for symptoms, injury or restrictions.
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5