Appears in642 Workouts*

Dumbbell 21-High

Master the top half of the bicep curl. This partial-ROM exercise uses constant tension and a peak contraction at the shoulders to build incredible thickness and detail in the upper arms.

Libby Christensen
Libby Christensen
@Libby Christensen

Required Equipment

Dumbbells thumbnail
Dumbbells

Muscle Groups

Primary

Secondary

Instructions

Setup

  • Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand.

  • Keep your elbows tucked into your sides and pinned to your torso.

Execution

  • Start with the dumbbells already at the midpoint (forearms parallel to the floor), which is the bottom position for this partial range of motion.

  • Curl the weights upward toward your shoulders by contracting your biceps, focusing on the upper half of the range.

  • Squeeze hard at the top of the movement for a brief second.

  • Lower the weights slowly back to the parallel midpoint position, maintaining constant tension on the biceps throughout the movement.

  • Keep your upper arms stationary throughout the entire set to ensure the focus remains on the biceps rather than the shoulders.