Preacher Curl - Dumbbell Zottman Reverse Alternate

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

Beginner Biceps Forearms Shoulders Traps Strength Dumbbell Preacher Bench Pull Gym

Purpose: This exercise strengthens the biceps.

Benefits: This exercise isolates the biceps so that momentum does not come into play. The rotation used in this exercise works the forearms.

Sit at a preacher bench, with your feet flat on the floor. Hold dumbbells with your hands about shoulder-width apart and your palms facing up (underhand grip). Ensure that your armpits are against the top of the bench pad with your triceps on the pad. This is the starting position. Curl the right dumbbell up to your chin while rotating your right hand into an overhand (palm facing down) grip. Your upper arm should remain on the pad throughout the entire motion. Exhale during this movement. Slowly lower the right dumbbell to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Curl the left dumbbell up to your chin while rotating your left hand into an overhand (palm facing down) grip. Your upper arm should remain on the pad throughout the entire motion. Exhale during this movement. Slowly lower the left dumbbell to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.


The biceps muscle is a straight muscle with 2 heads. The long head crosses both the elbow and shoulder joints and bends the elbow and raises the arm forward at the shoulder. The short head of the biceps crosses the elbow joint and, in conjunction with the brachioradialis, supinates the hand.

Step 1

Sit at the Preacher Bench holding dumbbells with an underhand grip. The triceps should be flat on the pad.

preacher-curl-dumbbell-zottman-reverse-alternate-step-0

Sit at a preacher bench, with your feet flat on the floor. Hold dumbbells with your hands about shoulder-width apart and your palms facing up (underhand grip). Ensure that your armpits are against the top of the bench pad with your triceps on the pad. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Slowly curl the right dumbbell until your arm at your chin while rotating your hand.

preacher-curl-dumbbell-zottman-reverse-alternate-step-1

Curl the right dumbbell slowly up to your chin while rotating your right hand to an overhand (palm facing down) grip. Squeeze the biceps at the top of the movement. Exhale during this movement.

Step 3

Lower the right dumbbell to the starting position.

preacher-curl-dumbbell-zottman-reverse-alternate-step-2

Lower the dumbbells to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Your upper arms should remain on the pad throughout the entire motion.

Step 4

Slowly curl the left dumbbell until your arm at your chin while rotating your hand.

preacher-curl-dumbbell-zottman-reverse-alternate-step-3

Curl the left dumbbell slowly up to your chin while rotating your left hand to an overhand (palm facing down) grip. Squeeze the biceps at the top of the movement. Exhale during this movement.

Step 5

Lower the left dumbbell to the starting position.

preacher-curl-dumbbell-zottman-reverse-alternate-step-4

Lower the left dumbbell to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Your upper arms should remain on the pad throughout the entire motion.