Are you struggling with building your biceps despite doing countless bicep curls? It’s a frustrating feeling, especially when you’re putting in the effort and not seeing the results you desire. The common cause of this problem is often the lack of variety in your bicep workout routine. When you repeatedly perform the same exercise, your muscles adapt to the movement, making it less effective in stimulating muscle growth. The solution to this problem is simple yet effective – add the dumbbell reverse grip curl to your workout routine. Keep reading to learn how this exercise can help you break through your bicep-building plateau.
Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl Summary
- Primary Muscles: Wrist Extensors
- Secondary Muscles: Biceps Brachii
- Equipment: Dumbbells
- Mechanics Type: Isolation
- Force: Pull
- Utility: Auxiliary
Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl Instructions
- Start out by choosing your dumbbells and hold them in front of you with your palms facing behind you, this is the reverse of a normal curl grip.
- Now, curl as normal up to your chest keeping your palms facing down.
- Then lower the dumbbells to your starting position.
- Continue to do it again to get your total number of reps.
Video Tutorial
Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl Muscles
Target (Agonist)
- Wrist Extensors
Synergists
Dynamic Stabilizers
- None
Stabilizers
- No Significant Stabilizers
Antagonist Stabilizers
- None
Benefits of Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl
The Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl is an important exercise to include in any strength training or fitness routine as it provides multiple benefits. The primary muscle worked during this exercise is the wrist extensors, which are responsible for extending and stabilizing the wrist. Incorporating this exercise into a routine can help to strengthen and build the wrist extensors, improving overall wrist stability and strength. The exercise also engages the biceps, forearms, and even the shoulders, providing a full body workout. Furthermore, it helps to improve grip strength, which can be beneficial for activities such as rock climbing or weight lifting.
Tips for Performing Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl
Should you want to experience the most effective strength gains, you will want to adhere to these uncomplicated tips. Also, if you would like to protect yourself against an injury, you will want to implement these tips.
- Do The Minimum 3 Of 8-20 Reps For Bulk. Now there are multiple theories regarding how Hypertrophy is activated, they all agree that sets of 60-80% of your 1RM can resulted in increased muscle size.
- Constantly Incorporate Complete Range Of Flexion. By using complete range of motion you will certainly ensure that that you build the total muscle and that you preserve your flexibility.
- Make sure you have warmed up your muscles when you are preparing to lift.
- Conduct Drop Sets. You can help to increase your muscle gains by using drop sets. Drop sets are whenever you do a set to near failure and then you drop the dumbbell size and keep going. You could reduce the load many times.
Benefits and Tips Video
Frequent Mistakes To Avoid
You need to avoid these regularly occurring issues to sustain good technique and build muscle. Also, when you eliminate these issues you will limit the likelihood of developing injuries.
- Don’t Do The Same Exercises Each Time. When anyone conduct exactly the same lift every work out ones muscle groups is likely to be trained to undertake that singular exercise very well, and you will peak more rapidly.
- Don’t Allow Yourself To Cheat. In most cases, cheating is utilizing momentum instead of the strength of your main muscle tissue. Sometimes, some cheating on your final rep can be beneficial to overload your muscle, although not for more than a handful of reps.
- You’ll Do Better To Not Hurry Your Training Session. Any time you rush your exercise routine you are liable to use improper technique and accidents.
Find More Dumbbell Exercises Here
Variations and Complementary Exercises
In addition to the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl, there are several variations, complementary, and alternative exercises that can be done to work similar muscles. These exercises can be used to add variety and intensity to your workout routine. Below are a few of the most popular variations, complementary, and alternative exercises for the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl.
Dumbbell One Arm Zottman Preacher Curl
The Dumbbell One Arm Zottman Preacher Curl is a great complementary or alternative exercise for the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl. This exercise involves sitting on a preacher bench with a dumbbell in one hand and curling it up towards the shoulder. This exercise is great for targeting the biceps, as well as working the forearms and shoulders. The preacher bench helps to keep the back stabilized and helps to prevent cheating. It is also beneficial to use one arm at a time, as it allows for more focus on each muscle group being worked. The Dumbbell One Arm Zottman Preacher Curl is a great way to add variety to your arm workout and gain more strength in the biceps.
Dumbbell One Arm Reverse Preacher Curl
The Dumbbell One Arm Reverse Preacher Curl is an excellent alternative or complementary exercise for the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl. This exercise targets the same muscles as the Reverse Grip Curl, but with an increased range of motion. The preacher curl position helps to keep the upper arm and elbow stable while still allowing the lifter to focus on isolating the biceps. It also allows for a greater range of motion and a deeper stretch in the biceps. The use of one arm at a time allows for greater control and focus on the targeted muscle group.
Dumbbell One Arm Reverse Curl
The Dumbbell One Arm Reverse Curl is a great complement to or alternative to the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl. This exercise is performed by holding a dumbbell in one hand with an underhand grip, and then curling it up to the shoulder. This exercise focuses on the bicep, but also targets the brachialis, forearms, and shoulder muscles. The one arm reverse curl allows you to target each side of your biceps more evenly than a two arm curl. It also increases stability and range of motion, making it an ideal exercise for developing strength and size in the arms.
Check Out These Top Dumbbell Exercises
Barbell Reverse Wrist Curl
Barbell Reverse Wrist Curl is an exercise that strengthens the wrists and forearms. This exercise is performed by holding the barbell in an overhand grip and bending the wrist up and down against the weight of the barbell. This exercise is a great alternative to the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl as it works on the same muscle groups, but with more weight. Additionally, Barbell Reverse Wrist Curl is a complementary exercise that can be used to supplement Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl, as it helps build strength in the wrists and forearms to better support and stabilize the arms during the more dynamic motion of the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl.
Barbell Reverse Preacher Curl
The Barbell Reverse Preacher Curl is an excellent alternative or complementary exercise for the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl. This exercise is performed by sitting on a preacher bench and gripping the barbell with a reverse grip. The elbows should be tucked in to the sides and your upper arms should be resting on the bench. From there, you can lift the barbell up towards your chin, keeping your elbows in a fixed position, and then lower the weight back down in a controlled manner. This exercise puts more emphasis on the biceps than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl, making it a great alternative or complementary exercise to add to your arm workout.
Barbell Reverse Curl
The Barbell Reverse Curl is an excellent alternative or complementary exercise to the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl. This exercise targets the brachioradialis muscle, which is located on the top of the forearm and helps to control the contraction of the biceps brachii. Unlike the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl, the Barbell Reverse Curl allows for more weight to be lifted and can provide more resistance to build strength in the forearms and upper arms. Additionally, it allows for an increased range of motion, allowing for a greater contraction and stretch of the muscles. The Barbell Reverse Curl can be done with an underhand grip or a neutral grip, depending on your preference, and can be done in either a seated or standing position.
Find More Arms Exercises Here
Opposing Complementary Exercises
In order to complete a full workout, it is important to include exercises that complement the exercise Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl by using opposing muscle groups. By doing so, you can ensure that all muscle groups are being worked out. Here are some exercises that can be included in your workout routine to target opposing muscle groups and help create balance:
Dumbbell Behind Back Finger Curl
The Dumbbell Behind Back Finger Curl is a great complement to the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl. This exercise targets the muscles in the back of the arm, or triceps, which are used in opposition to the biceps during the Reverse Grip Curl. The Behind Back Finger Curl focuses on building strength and muscular endurance in the triceps, allowing for better balance between the two opposing muscle groups. This exercise can be done seated or standing, and requires you to hold a dumbbell behind your back and curl your fingers up towards your shoulders.
Dumbbell Finger Curls
Dumbbell Finger Curls are a great complement to Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curls as they work the opposing muscle group. This exercise involves standing with the feet shoulder-width apart and the arms extended in front of the body. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and curl the dumbbells up towards the chest, keeping the arms close to the body. The focus of this exercise is on the forearms and wrists as they work to lift the weight. This movement is a great way to strengthen the muscles in the forearms and wrists and can be done as part of a larger arm workout or as a standalone exercise.
Smith Machine Wrist Curl
The Smith Machine Wrist Curl is a great exercise for targeting the wrist flexor muscles, which are the opposing muscle group to the brachialis that the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl targets. It is done by sitting on a bench and placing the forearms on top of the thighs, with the palms of the hands facing up. The wrists are then curled up towards the body while keeping the forearms in place. This exercise is complementary to the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Curl as it works the opposing muscle group, helping to strengthen and develop both muscles for greater overall arm strength.
Get Your Biceps to Grow with Reverse Grip Curls!
If you’re looking to build bigger biceps, the reverse grip curl is a great exercise to add to your routine. This exercise specifically targets your biceps brachii and brachioradialis muscles. Using a reverse grip on the dumbbell will shift the emphasis from your forearms to your biceps. It’s important to start with light weights and focus on proper form to avoid any wrist strain or injury. Gradually increase the weight as you gain strength and endurance. Incorporating reverse grip curls in your routine will help you achieve those enviable biceps that you crave!
References: Wikipedia | ExRx.net | PubMed.gov | Comprehensive List of Arms Dumbbell Exercises