Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Dumbbell Prone Incline Hammer Curl: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The dumbbell prone incline hammer curl is an isolation exercise targeting the biceps and forearms. It is performed lying face down on an incline bench, which helps minimize momentum and focus the work on the biceps.

Primary muscles
Biceps
Secondary muscles
Forearms
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the dumbbell prone incline hammer curl
Front view: muscles worked by the dumbbell prone incline hammer curl. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Back view: muscles worked by the dumbbell prone incline hammer curl. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Primary Secondary

How to do the dumbbell prone incline hammer curl

  1. Step 1: Adjust the bench to a 45-degree incline.
  2. Step 2: Lie face down on the bench with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other.
  3. Step 3: Allow your arms to hang straight down towards the floor, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  4. Step 4: Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
  5. Step 5: Continue to raise the dumbbells until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbells are at shoulder level.
  6. Step 6: Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
  7. Step 7: Inhale and slowly begin to lower the dumbbells back to the starting position.
  8. Step 8: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the dumbbell prone incline hammer 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.

Dumbbell Prone Incline Hammer Curl alternatives

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Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.