Reverse Curl - Incline Dumbbell Feet Up Alternate

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

Beginner Biceps Forearms Anterior Shoulders Strength Dumbbell Incline Bench Pull Gym

Purpose: This exercise increases strength and produces greater functional strength in both the biceps and the forearms.

Benefits: Reverse curls work the forearms more than regular bicep curls.

Grab a dumbbell in each hand. Sit on the incline bench with your feet on a bench in front of you, your back against the back of the bench, and with the palms of the hands facing downward (reverse grip), and let them hang at your side. Your elbows should be close to your body. This is your starting position. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the right dumbbell forward and upward while contracting the biceps. Exhale during this movement. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level. Continue by moving the elbow slightly forward (about 1 inch) to ensure the long head of the biceps is fully involved (the long head of the biceps crosses the shoulder joint) while you squeeze the biceps. Slowly bring the right dumbbell back to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the left dumbbell forward and upward while contracting the biceps. Exhale during this movement. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level. Continue by moving the elbow slightly forward (about 1 inch) to ensure the long head of the biceps is fully involved (the long head of the biceps crosses the shoulder joint) while you squeeze the biceps. Slowly bring the left dumbbell back to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended 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 on an incline bench, holding dumbbells in each hand, palms facing downward.

reverse-curl-incline-dumbbell-feet-up-alternate-step-0

Grab a dumbbell in each hand. Sit on the incline bench with your feet on a bench in front of you, your back against the back of the bench, and with the palms of the hands facing downward (reverse grip), and let them hang at your side. Your elbows should be close to your body. This is your starting position.

Step 2

Curl the right dumbbell towards your shoulder, keeping your elbows close to your body.

reverse-curl-incline-dumbbell-feet-up-alternate-step-1

While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the right dumbbell forward and upward while contracting the biceps. Exhale during this movement. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level. Continue by moving the elbow slightly forward (about 1 inch) to ensure the long head of the biceps is fully involved (the long head of the biceps crosses the shoulder joint) while you squeeze the biceps.

Step 3

Slowly bring the right dumbbell back to the starting position.

reverse-curl-incline-dumbbell-feet-up-alternate-step-2

Slowly bring the right dumbbell back to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. The palms of the hands are facing downward, hanging at your side. Your elbows should be close to your body.

Step 4

Curl the left dumbbell towards your shoulder, keeping your elbows close to your body.

reverse-curl-incline-dumbbell-feet-up-alternate-step-3

While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the left dumbbell forward and upward while contracting the biceps. Exhale during this movement. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell is at shoulder level. Continue by moving the elbow slightly forward (about 1 inch) to ensure the long head of the biceps is fully involved (the long head of the biceps crosses the shoulder joint) while you squeeze the biceps.

Step 5

Slowly bring the left dumbbell back to the starting position.

reverse-curl-incline-dumbbell-feet-up-alternate-step-4

Slowly bring the left dumbbell back to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. The palms of the hands are facing downward, hanging at your side. Your elbows should be close to your body.