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Exercise Guide

How to do dumbbell zottman preacher curl

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The dumbbell zottman preacher curl is a unique hybrid exercise that combines a regular curl with a reverse curl on a preacher bench. You curl the weight up with a palms-up grip to target the biceps, then rotate to a palms-down grip for the lowering phase to hit the forearms. This dual-action movement provides comprehensive arm development, building both bicep peak and forearm thickness simultaneously.

Stats

TIER
3
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Preacher Curl, Dumbbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Biceps

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Preacher Curl Bench: Adjust the seat of a preacher curl machine so your armpits are comfortably resting on the top of the pad.
  2. Dumbbell Placement: Place the dumbbells on the floor beside the bench.
  3. Grip: Sit down on the bench, pressing your chest firmly against the pad. Pick up the dumbbells with a supinated grip (palms facing up).
  4. Starting Position: Extend your arms and rest the underside of your forearms and wrists on the pad.

The Lift:

  1. Curl Upward: Inhale and slowly curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders, keeping your upper arms and elbows stationary against the pad. Focus on using your biceps to lift the weight.
  2. Rotate at the Top: As you reach the top of the curl, rotate your wrists so that your palms face down (pronated grip).
  3. Lower with Control: Exhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position with your palms still facing down. Resist the urge to drop or relax at the bottom.
  4. Rotate at the Bottom: Before initiating the next curl, rotate your wrists back to the supinated grip (palms facing up).

Tips:

  • Focus on the Biceps and Forearms: The Zottman curl works both the biceps and forearms due to the change in grip during the movement.
  • Elbow Position: Keep your elbows firmly planted against the pad throughout the entire movement.
  • Slow and Controlled: Avoid using momentum. Focus on the contraction of your biceps and forearms.
  • Full Range of Motion: Extend your arms fully at the bottom, feeling a good stretch in your biceps.

Common mistakes: Rushing the rotation phase and not maintaining a slow, controlled eccentric (lowering) motion.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell seated curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell standing curl

Biceps
Cable

cable curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl Machine

machine preacher curl

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Preacher Curl

ez-barbell close grip preacher curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell concentration curl

Biceps
Cable

cable one arm curl

Biceps
Crossover Cable

cable overhead curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell prone incline curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell incline biceps curl

Biceps
Cable

cable biceps curl (sz bar)

Biceps
Ez Barbell

ez-barbell standing preacher curl

Biceps
Cable

cable hammer curl(rope)

Biceps
Barbell

barbell wide grip curl

Biceps
Bench

ez-barbell seated curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell reverse curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated alternate biceps curl

Biceps
Bench

ez-barbell spider curl

Biceps
Cable

cable reverse curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl

dumbbell zottman preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell reverse grip biceps curl

Biceps
None

lying biceps curl with towel

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell alternate biceps curl

Biceps
Resistance Band

band alternating bicep curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell incline hammer curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl

dumbbell preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell bicep curl

Biceps
Resistance Band

band standing hammer curl

Biceps