Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Dumbbell One Arm Zottman Preacher Curl: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The dumbbell one arm Zottman preacher curl is an isolation exercise targeting the biceps and forearms, performed on a preacher bench with a dumbbell, emphasizing both the curl and rotational movement for forearm engagement.

Primary muscles
Biceps
Secondary muscles
Forearms
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the dumbbell one arm zottman preacher curl
Front view: muscles worked by the dumbbell one arm zottman preacher curl. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Back view: muscles worked by the dumbbell one arm zottman preacher curl. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Primary Secondary

How to do the dumbbell one arm zottman preacher curl

  1. Step 1: Sit on a preacher curl bench and hold a dumbbell in one hand with an underhand grip.
  2. Step 2: Rest your upper arm on the preacher bench pad, allowing your arm to fully extend.
  3. Step 3: Curl the dumbbell up towards your shoulder, keeping your upper arm stationary.
  4. Step 4: At the top of the curl, rotate your wrist so that your palm faces up.
  5. Step 5: Slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position, rotating your wrist back to the starting position.
  6. Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the dumbbell one arm zottman preacher curl by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

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