Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

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

The dumbbell standing Zottman preacher curl is a biceps-focused exercise that also targets the forearms. It combines the preacher curl with a wrist rotation at the top of the movement to emphasize both the biceps and forearm muscles.

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

How to do the dumbbell standing zottman preacher curl

  1. Step 1: Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing forward.
  2. Step 2: Place your upper arms against the preacher bench and keep your elbows slightly bent.
  3. Step 3: Curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders while keeping your upper arms stationary.
  4. Step 4: At the top of the movement, rotate your wrists so that your palms are facing downward.
  5. Step 5: Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position, rotating your wrists back to the starting position as well.
  6. Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the dumbbell standing 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.

Dumbbell Standing Zottman Preacher Curl alternatives

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