Benefits of the preacher curl

Are you ready to sculpt strong, defined arms? Meet the preacher curl, an isolation exercise that’s a secret weapon for building bigger, more peaked biceps. This targeted movement focuses on one muscle group, the biceps. The benefits of the preacher curl include isolating the bicep to maximize muscle growth, improving the mind-muscle connection, and increasing the biceps’ peak for a more defined look.

woman doing barbell preacher curls

What is a preacher curl?

The preacher curl is a variation of the traditional bicep curl. Instead of standing, the preacher curl is a controlled and isolated movement, performed with an EZ bar on a preacher bench.

woman sitting doing preacher curl exercises

Your elbows are ergonomically positioned on an arm pad at a 45-degree angle, allowing for greater isolation and focus on the biceps.

Muscles worked in preacher curls

The preacher curl is a bicep curl variation. This isolation exercise primarily targets:

  • Biceps brachii, also known as the biceps. The biceps are a two-headed muscle located on the front of the upper arm.
  • Brachialis, a muscle that lies underneath the biceps. The brachialis muscle is responsible for flexing the elbow joint and is also involved in the turning of the palm upwards.
  • Brachioradialis, a muscle that runs along the side of the forearm. The brachioradialis is responsible for flexing the elbow joint and turning the palm downwards.

5 benefits of preacher curls

Preacher curls are excellent for bicep gains. Their benefits include:

Full range of motion

The preacher curl forces the arms into a position where the biceps are able to get a full range of motion with a full extension and contraction through the assistance of the preacher curl bench, while keeping your arms from cheating through swinging and use of momentum.

Isolates the biceps

Preacher curls are a great way to isolate the biceps muscles, particularly the long head of the biceps brachii. This exercise specifically targets the biceps without the significant involvement of other muscle groups.

Muscle growth

Performing preacher curls regularly can contribute to the development of stronger and more defined biceps. Placing the arms in a fixed position on the preacher curl bench allows you to focus the engagement of the biceps.

Joint stability

Since preacher curls restrict movement to the elbows and forearms, they promote joint stability by minimizing unnecessary swinging or cheating motions. This can be beneficial for individuals with joint issues or those looking to strengthen and stabilize the elbow joint.

Arm aesthetics

Preacher curls can help shape and sculpt the appearance of your arms, particularly the biceps. Consistent training can lead to well-defined upper arms and enhances the aesthetics of your upper body.

EZ bar preacher curls

You need a preacher bench and an EZ bar for this exercise. 

woman sitting doing preacher curl exercises
woman sitting doing preacher curl exercises
  • Hold the EZ curl bar at the close grip (inner handle) using an underhand grip. Your palms should be facing forward and slightly tilted inwards due to the shape of the bar.
  • Position your upper arms and chest against the preacher bench pad while holding the EZ curl bar at shoulder length.
  • Use the biceps to curl the weight up until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder height. Squeeze the biceps hard and hold this position for a second.
  • Slowly lower the bar until your upper arm is extended and the biceps are fully stretched.
  • Repeat

Preacher curl variations:

The main variations of preacher curls involve changing the way your palm is facing, 

Zottman curls

The overhand preacher curl places most of the load on your forearms. This variation places equal focus on your biceps and forearms.

woman doing dumbbell zottman curls
woman doing dumbbell zottman curls

Dumbbell preacher curl

woman doing dumbbell preacher curls
woman doing dumbbell preacher curls

Using a dumbbell, you can avoid accidentally having your dominant arm take over the exercise. That will enable you to guarantee more even muscle development.

Cable preacher curls

You will keep constant tension on the biceps using an incline bench near the cable pulley machine.

Reverse barbell preacher curl

Use an overhand grip with the barbell. You’ll also target your forearms along with your biceps.

woman sitting doing reverse preacher curl exercises
woman sitting doing reverse preacher curl exercises

Preacher curl machine

This machine acts much like an ordinary preacher bench, only with the source of resistance built in and the time under tension significantly lengthened with each set.