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Last updated February 2, 2026
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bicepsforearmstriceps
Incline Hammer Curl (Dumbbell)
Lie on an incline bench. Curl dumbbells with palms facing each other. The angle increases the stretch on the biceps.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mechanic
- Isolation
- Force
- Pull
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Low
- Hypertrophy
- High
- Calorie Burn
- Low
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
outer bicep / brachialis
Secondary
forearm flexors
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
dumbbelladjustable bench
Movement pattern
Bilateral
Posture
Seated
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Adjust the bench to an incline position, typically between 30 to 45 degrees.
- Sit on the bench with your back against it, holding a dumbbell in each hand at your sides.
- Step 2Position Your Arms
- Ensure your arms are fully extended down towards the floor, palms facing each other.
- Keep your elbows close to your body and your shoulders relaxed.
- Step 3Engage Your Core
- Sit up straight and engage your core muscles to maintain stability throughout the exercise.
- Keep your feet flat on the ground for better balance.
- Step 4Curl the Dumbbells
- Bend your elbows to lift the dumbbells towards your shoulders while keeping your palms facing each other.
- Focus on using your biceps to lift the weights, avoiding any swinging motion.
- Step 5Squeeze at the Top
- At the top of the curl, squeeze your biceps for a moment to maximize the contraction.
- Ensure your elbows remain stationary and close to your body.
- Step 6Lower the Dumbbells
- Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- Control the movement to maintain tension in your biceps.
- Step 7Repeat
- Repeat the curl for the desired number of repetitions, maintaining proper form throughout.
- Focus on a smooth and controlled motion for each rep.
- Step 8Finish the Exercise
- After completing your reps, carefully place the dumbbells down on the floor or a rack.
- Sit up straight and take a moment to recover before moving on to your next exercise.