Upper Arms Exercise · Dumbbell
Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball
Sitting on a stability ball for alternating hammer curls adds a mild core and balance demand on top of the usual neutral-grip biceps and brachialis work. Alternating arms lets each side curl with full attention while the other holds steady, which also helps keep the torso from swaying. Keep the weight moderate — the ball is there for variety and light stability training, not heavy loading.
Go to the movement stepsAlso known as: Db Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball, Dumbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball
- Category
- Upper Arms
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Target
- Biceps
Exercise reference published by PlanWorkouts; see our editorial standards.
How to Do the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball
- Sit on an exercise ball with your feet planted on the floor and your back straight.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing your body and your arms fully extended.
- Without moving your upper arms, exhale and curl one dumbbell up toward your shoulder while keeping your palm facing your body.
- Keep raising that dumbbell until your biceps are fully contracted and the dumbbell reaches shoulder level.
- Hold that contracted position briefly, squeezing your biceps.
- Inhale and lower the dumbbell back down under control.
- Do the same with the opposite arm.
- Finish the recommended repetitions on this side before switching over to train the other side.
Quick Exercise Facts
Target Muscle Activation
Recommended Sets & Reps by Goal
Moderate weight · 60s rest
Lighter weight · 30–45s rest
Lower slowly for 3 seconds · 60s rest
Technique & Form Tips
Perform flexion at the elbow while keeping your setup steady and supported. Maintain the specific elbow placement demonstrated for your chosen variation, such as preacher, incline, or hammer curl, to ensure consistent mechanical load through the arc.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using hip momentum: Keep your torso stable to prevent swinging the load upward with your lower body.
- Drifting elbows: Maintain the elbow position relative to your body as defined by your specific curl variant.
- Lack of eccentric control: Lower the weight under control rather than letting it fall.
How to Breathe During This Exercise
Breathe steadily throughout the movement, ideally exhaling during the contraction phase.
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Comfort and Control
Choose a load and range you can control. Stop if the movement causes pain. If discomfort persists, stop and ask a qualified professional about an appropriate exercise and range.
General guidance: Mayo Clinic on weight-training technique. Follow the specific movement steps above for this variation.
Muscles Worked
The Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball mainly targets your Biceps, with your Forearms helping support the movement.
More Upper Arms Exercises
Assisted Standing Triceps Extension (with Towel)
Assisted Triceps Dip (kneeling)
Band Alternating Biceps Curl
Band Close-Grip Push-Up
Band Concentration Curl
Band One Arm Overhead Biceps Curl
More Biceps Exercises
Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
Barbell Biceps Curl (with Arm Blaster)
Barbell Curl
Barbell Drag Curl
Barbell Lying Preacher Curl
Barbell Preacher Curl
Equipment Alternatives
Don't have dumbbell? These target the same biceps with different equipment.
Biceps Leg Concentration Curl
Barbell Alternate Biceps Curl
Cable Close Grip Curl
EZ Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl
FAQ
- What muscles does the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball work?
- The Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball mainly works your biceps. Your forearms also works to help support and steady your body. Using good, smooth form makes sure you work the right muscles and avoid unnecessary strain on your joints.
- What equipment do I need for the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball?
- You do the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball with a dumbbell. Make sure your equipment is set up safely before starting. If you work out at home or have limited gear, check out our alternative exercises below.
- What form mistake should I watch for on the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball?
- One mistake to watch for is using hip momentum: Keep your torso stable to prevent swinging the load upward with your lower body.. Use a comfortable range and a controlled return; reduce the load if you cannot maintain the demonstrated setup.
- How many sets and reps should I perform on the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball?
- To tone and grow muscle, do 3 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 smooth reps with 60 seconds of rest, focusing on a full stretch and squeezing the muscle at the top of each rep.
- What's a good alternative to the Dumbbell Seated Alternate Hammer Curl On Exercise Ball?
- The Biceps Leg Concentration Curl trains your biceps with body weight and a similar movement pattern. Review its form guide before substituting it, since setup and range of motion can differ.