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Dumbbell One Arm Preacher Curl
A single-arm dumbbell curl on a preacher bench that removes momentum and isolates one biceps at a time.
ArmsDumbbellIsolation curl
GoLightWeight mediadumbbell-one-arm-preacher-curl
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Biceps
Secondary
BrachialisForearms
Equipment
Dumbbell
Pattern
Isolation curl
Setup
- 01Adjust the preacher bench so the pad sits high in your armpit when seated.
- 02Rest one upper arm fully on the pad, holding a dumbbell with an underhand grip.
- 03Support yourself with the free hand on the pad or bench.
Execution
- 01Lower the dumbbell until the elbow is almost fully extended.
- 02Curl the dumbbell up until the forearm is just short of vertical.
- 03Squeeze the biceps at the top without lifting the upper arm off the pad.
- 04Complete all reps, then switch arms.
Checkpoints
- -Back of the upper arm stays in full contact with the pad.
- -Near-full extension at the bottom of every rep.
- -Wrist stays neutral, not curled to cheat the weight up.
- -Shoulder stays down and relaxed, not shrugging.
Common mistakes
- -Bouncing out of the fully stretched bottom position.
- -Lifting the elbow off the pad at the top of the rep.
- -Stopping well short of extension to avoid the hardest range.
- -Going too heavy for the vulnerable stretched position.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps per arm with a controlled 2 to 3 second lowering.
- -Start with the weaker arm and match its reps with the stronger arm.
- -Progress load slowly; the stretched bottom position stresses the biceps tendon.
Related exercises
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