Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Vertical Style Dumbbell One Arm Concentration Curl (On Stability Ball): How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The dumbbell one arm concentration curl (on stability ball) is an isolation exercise targeting the biceps, performed while seated on a stability ball to increase core engagement and balance requirements.

Primary muscles
Biceps
Secondary muscles
Forearms
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the vertical style dumbbell one arm concentration curl (on stability ball)
Front view: muscles worked by the vertical style dumbbell one arm concentration curl (on stability ball). Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Back view: muscles worked by the vertical style dumbbell one arm concentration curl (on stability ball). Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Primary Secondary

How to do the vertical style dumbbell one arm concentration curl (on stability ball)

  1. Step 1: Sit on a stability ball with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.
  2. Step 2: Hold a dumbbell in one hand with your palm facing up and your arm extended down towards the floor.
  3. Step 3: Rest your elbow on the inside of your thigh, just above the knee.
  4. Step 4: Keeping your upper arm stationary, exhale and curl the dumbbell up towards your shoulder while contracting your biceps.
  5. Step 5: Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position. Maintain vertical form throughout.
  6. Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms and repeat.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the vertical style dumbbell one arm concentration curl (on stability ball) 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.

Vertical Style Dumbbell One Arm Concentration Curl (On Stability Ball) alternatives

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