Will hammer curls build big biceps?

Author: Dino Donnelly  |  Last update: Friday, June 13, 2025

Yes, they certainly do! Hammer curls are a great exercise for working the biceps, as they target the bicep muscle group specifically. This move is also great for building strength and definition in the arms. So if you're looking to work your biceps, hammer curls are a great choice.

Can hammer curls make biceps bigger?

Yes, hammer curls are effective for building biceps, not just forearms. Hammer curls primarily target the brachialis muscle, which is located underneath the biceps and contributes to overall arm thickness. However, hammer curls also engage the bic...

Are bicep curls or hammer curls better for biceps?

Yes, hammer curls are effective for developing the biceps, particularly the brachialis and brachioradialis muscles, in addition to the biceps brachii. While traditional curls primarily target the biceps brachii, hammer curls emphasize the brachialis, which lies underneath the biceps.

Is it good to go heavy on hammer curls?

🔑Heavy hammer curls Heavy hammer curls are effective because they target the brachialis muscle, contribute to progressive overload, improve grip strength, provide variation in training, and promote functional strength.

Is a 50 lb hammer curl good?

The average Hammer Curl weight for a male lifter is 51 lb (1RM). This makes you Intermediate on Strength Level and is a very impressive lift. What is a good Hammer Curl? Male beginners should aim to lift 18 lb (1RM) which is still impressive compared to the general population.

Hammer Curl Technique For Massive Arms!

What if I only do hammer curls?

No, you don't need to do both bicep curls and hammer curls. You can just do either one and get great results. Hammer curls are a little more challenging and may help you build bigger muscles, but bicep curls are a great way to tone your arms. Choose the exercise that you enjoy the most and stick with it!

Will curls make my arms bigger?

The best exercise for growing the bicep muscle is any variation of the curl. Curls are best done using a barbell and weights or a set of dumbbells. If you're training in the gym, sitting at a bench or using the preacher curl machine can help to further concentrate tension on the bicep muscle, leading to bigger gains.

Is it better to lift heavy or light for biceps?

Not necessarily. Whether you choose to lift light weights or heavy weights is often a matter of personal preference. Both will achieve the goal of making your muscles stronger, assuming you work out to the point of muscle fatigue. Muscle fatigue means you can no longer do more reps in proper form.

Can you do 5x5 for biceps?

Stronglifts 5×5 is high volume for your shoulders, triceps and legs. It's medium volume for your chest, back and biceps. A common beginner mistake is to misinterpret this to mean that medium volume does nothing. Beginners often jump to high volume from day one because they want results fast.

Do hammer curls target bicep peak?

The incline hammer curl is a great exercise to target the long head of the bicep, which will contribute to building a bigger peak. The incline bench will place the elbow back more to expose the long head and train the fullest range of motion, and the neutral hammer grip will emphasize the long head as well.

How many sets of biceps per week?

Volume and Frequency

Research suggests that hitting a muscle group 2-3 times per week yields the best results for muscle growth. Therefore, you should aim for 12-20 sets per week for optimal biceps development.

Which bicep curl is most effective?

Arguably the most efficient exercise in yielding maximum bicep growth, a recent study by the American Council on Exercise found that the seated concentration curl yielded 97% bicep activity in contrast to EZ-bar curls (wide grip 75%; narrow grip, 71%), incline curls (70%), and preacher curls (69%).

Will hammer curls build big forearms?

If you're aiming for bigger, stronger arms, the Hammer Curl should be a key part of your workout routine. This exercise is perfect for targeting both your biceps and forearm muscles, helping you build balanced and powerful upper arms.

Do hammer curls count as biceps?

While hammer curls activate mostly the long head of the bicep, a traditional bicep curl activates the shorter head of the bicep. The shorter bicep head is what produces more of the muscle peak you might be looking for when trying to fill out those t-shirts.

Do hammer curls build mass?

Targeting the brachialis not only increases overall arm strength, but also increases upper arm thickness and props up the superficial bicep muscle. Because of this, hammer curls are your best bet to get that sought-after bulge and chiseled look.

Does doing 100 reps build muscle?

So, yes, in terms of lasting gains, strength and endurance, the 100 rep workout will contribute to your muscle growth and sporting performance going forwards.

How to increase biceps size?

More videos on YouTube
  1. Chin Ups. Grip the bar with your palms facing towards yourself, about shoulder-width apart. ...
  2. Bodyweight Incline Curls. ...
  3. Resistance Band Supinated Curls. ...
  4. Resistance Band Hammer Curls. ...
  5. Supinated Barbell Bicep Curls. ...
  6. Pronated Barbell Bicep Curls. ...
  7. Dumbbell Hammer Curls. ...
  8. High Pulley Cable Curls.

How many reps for biceps to grow?

Don't Lift Too Heavy

Generally, research agrees that 8-12 repetitions with a moderate load is best for inducing a hypertrophic response. While you will still make strength gains with heavier loads and lower reps, you will be minimizing the potential for gains in muscle size.

Are hammer curls better than bicep curls?

Hammer curls are great for developing parts of your bicep as well as targeting your forearms and wrists. On the other hand, the bicep curl is better at targeting your entire bicep as a whole. There's a reason why this exercise is used by so many to build their arms.

How to shock biceps into growing?

Boost Your Biceps Growth
  1. Exercise 1: Bicep Curls.
  2. Exercise 2: Hammer Curls.
  3. Exercise 3: Concentration Curls with Incline Bench.
  4. Exercise 4: Spider Curls.
  5. Exercise 5: Finish Strong with Incline Concentration Curls.

How to get big arms quickly?

How To Get Bigger Biceps: The 6 Best Exercises
  1. Concentration Curls (short head)
  2. Hammer Curls (long head)
  3. EZ Bar Curls (long / short head depending on grip)
  4. Preacher Curl (short head)
  5. Single Arm High Cable Bicep Curl (short head)
  6. Chin Ups (long / short head depending on grip)

How long to rest between sets?

Rest between set durations should be based on sets/exercise (volume), and not load or training goal. General recommendations include moderate (2 min) rest between sets if performing 2 sets/exercise, long rest (3 min) if performing 3 sets/exercise, and very long rest (> 4 min) if performing 4 sets or more/exercise.

Is it better to do bicep curls fast or slow?

By lifting and lowering the weight slowly, you engage the muscles for a longer duration, leading to increased time under tension. This prolonged tension can stimulate muscle growth and hypertrophy. Moreover, slow bicep curls can help improve muscle strength and stability.

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