Dumbbell Curl - Bent Over Narrow

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 8-12 Reps, 80 Wght

Beginner Biceps Forearms Shoulders Strength Dumbbell Pull Gym

Purpose: This exercise works the biceps muscles but focuses also on the brachioradialis (a muscle that crosses the elbow joint and assists in rotating the forearm).

Benefits: This exercise is similar in effect to the Spider curl and does a good job of placing maximum tension on the biceps in the fully contracted position.

Stand, with your feet close together. Hold dumbbells with your hands about shoulder-width apart and your palms facing up (underhand grip). Bend over with your feet about shoulder width apart. Let the dumbbells hang with your arms straight down. This is the starting position. Curl the dumbbells up to your chin. Your upper arms should remain stationary throughout the entire motion. Exhale during this movement. Slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.


The biceps is a straight muscle which has two heads. The long head crosses both the elbow and the shoulder joints. It bends the arm at the elbow and raises the arm forward at the shoulder. The short head crosses the elbow joint and, in conjunction with the brachioradialis, supinates the hand.

Step 1

Bend over, holding dumbbells with the arms straight.

dumbbell-curl-bent-over-narrow-step-0

Stand, with your feet close together. Hold dumbbells with your hands about shoulder-width apart and your palms facing up (underhand grip). Bend over with your feet about shoulder width apart. Let the dumbbells hang with your arms straight down. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Curl the dumbbells to your chin, keeping your upper arms stationary.

dumbbell-curl-bent-over-narrow-step-1

Curl the dumbbells up to your chin. Your upper arms should remain stationary throughout the entire motion. Exhale during this movement.

Step 3

Slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position.

dumbbell-curl-bent-over-narrow-step-2

Slowly lower the dumbbells to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Hold dumbbells with your hands about shoulder-width apart and your palms facing up (underhand grip). Bend over with your feet about shoulder width apart. Let the dumbbells hang with your arms straight down.