An intense bicep workout, when done with the correct form and intensity, can help you build and develop the “trophy muscle” of bodybuilding.

Not sure about all this “trophy” lore? You’re not alone. Most body experts agree, the chest and back are the most important muscle groups to achieve a super-impressive, hard and lean physique. But either way, the biceps are a close second and are important to an overall great physique.

When someone says flex, you’re probably going to show them your “guns,” not your back. So a solid bicep workout needs to be near the top of your list to achieve a balanced, lean, and muscular build.

You will also work your biceps when you are doing many back exercises, such as chin-ups and supinated bent-over rows, to name a few.

The exercises below are our Top 5 Best Bicep exercises, but first let’s understand the basics of the biceps.

Bicep Structure and Function

The biceps muscle is a two-headed muscle, hence the prefix “bi.”  The formal name is the biceps brachii, but is mainly referred to in the vernacular as the biceps.  The biceps muscle is located on the front (anterior) of the upper arm, connecting the shoulder blade to the elbow.

The biceps consist of a long and a short head, and each head has its own point of origin on the shoulder blade, but connect to the elbow (at the radius bone in the forearm) at one point.

Two additional, smaller muscles of the biceps are the brachialis and the brachioradialis, but your main focus should be on the biceps brachii.

The function of the biceps is to bend and extend the arm, as well as rotating the forearm in each direction (supination and flexion).

Top 5 Exercises for Your Bicep Workout

#1  Barbell Curls


This is widely considered the very best biceps exercise for mass and strength. It will also work your forearms.

Start Position:  Stand straight with good posture, with arms slightly bent at your sides, holding the barbell. Keep your elbows tight to your body, and palms facing forward.  You will get the best bicep workout (working long and short heads) if you start with a wider grip – slightly wider than shoulder width – and then with each progressive set slightly narrow your grip.

Technique:  In a controlled motion, contract the biceps to curl the barbell to just short of vertical without resting, then return the barbell to start position.  Keep a laser focus on your biceps, and feel the contraction and burn at the top.

Sets / Reps / Rest:

Muscle Mass and Size: 3-4 / 6 to 12 / 30 seconds

Muscle Hardness and Density:  3-4 / 3 to 6 / 90 seconds

Variations:  Start with a wide grip on your 1st set, and narrow your grip with each successive set, until your last set is slightly less than shoulder width.

NOTE: A straight barbell can put strain on your wrists, especially as you age. So if barbell curls are straining your wrists, then try EZ Bar curls, which are a more natural fit for your grip. This puts much less strain on your wrists, and is a more comfortable movement.


#2  Preacher Curls


This is a favorite bicep workout exercise. It just seem to provide the most gains (strength and size) when you prioritize this in a given month.

Start Position:  Sit at the preacher bench, and lift the barbell (or EZ curl bar) to the up position. Your upper arms should be positioned on the pad, with your armpits and chest flush to the pad for support. 

This is the starting position.

Exercise:  Curl the weight up, but make sure you stop short of vertical, as this is a rest position. Return the barbell to the down position.  Throughout the movement keep your body and upper arms still, and feel like your elbows are on a fixed hinge. You don’t want to swing your body or jerk your head to perform the curl.

Sets / Reps / Rest:

Mass and Size: 3-4 / 6 to 12 / 30 seconds

Hardness and Density:  3-4 / 3 to 6 / 90 seconds

Caution:  When you get to the down position, make sure you stay in control of the weight. A slip here and you can tear your bicep, so always maintain control.

Variations:  If your hand grip is wider, you will work the interior head.  If your grip is narrower, you will work the outside head more.

#3  Rope Cable Curls


Another top bicep workout. It does not put great strain on the elbows and wrists, and yet you’ll feel a very good burn and pump.

Start Position: Standing and holding the rope attached to a cable, with hands close together (nearly touching), and palms facing.

Exercise:  Perform a fluid, controlled curl motion – up to nearly vertical, and then down. Do not arch your back to achieve the curl – maintain steady posture.

Sets / Reps / Rest:

Mass and Size: 3-4 / 6 to 12 / 30 seconds

Hardness and Density:  3-4 / 3 to 6 / 90 seconds

Variations:  You can work the muscles from a slightly different angle by spreading your hands 6″ apart at the start position – it is hard to hold this position with a heavy weight, but it’s doable.

Caution: This is generally a safe exercise for your bicep workout, just be cautious of the strain on your lower back and of course lifting the correct weight.

NOTE: It’s suggested to grip the rope 1″ below the end knobs on the rope. If your index finger and thumb are flush to the knob when performing the curl with a heavy weight, it can be painful on your hand. This can be avoided by gripping 1″ below the knobs with a strong grip strength.

#4  Alternating Dumbbell Curls


Start Position:  Standing with your arms at your side holding dumbbells, and palms facing your body.  

Make sure your posture is good, feet shoulder width.

Exercise: One arm at a time, rotate the forearm until the palm is facing up as you contract the bicep and perform the curl.  Return to the start position rotating the arm to the start position on your way down.  Performing one

Sets / Reps / Rest:

Mass and Size: 4-5 / 6 to 12 / 30 seconds

Hardness and Density:  3-4 / 3 to 6 / 90 seconds

Variations: Some people have weak elbows due to past tendon problems, so the rotation can be a problem. In this case, perform the same exercise without rotating the forearm on the up motion (bicep contraction).  (So the starting position would be palms forward).

Caution: Perform the rotating motion controlled and deliberate. Jerking motions can put strain on your elbows.

#5  Hammer Curls


Start Position:  Standing with your arms at your side holding dumbbells, and palms facing your body. 

Feet are shoulder width and your posture is upright.

Exercise: Both arms together, contract the biceps and perform the curl without rotating the forearm. So a hammer curl differs from a traditional dumbbell curl because the palms remain facing each other during the curl, with no rotation. Return to the start position.

Sets / Reps / Rest:

Mass and Size: 4-5 / 6 to 12 / 30 seconds

Hardness and Density:  3-4 / 3 to 6 / 90 seconds

Variations:  Do Hammer Curls “down the rack” at the end of your bicep workout. Start with your comfortable weight, and go “down the rack” without rest between sets.

Example: Start with 20# dumbbells, hammer curls to failure, switch to 15# dumbbells, hammer curls to failure, switch to 12.5#, hammer curls to failure, etc  —  all in quick succession, usually doing about 5 to 6 sets total (20# down to 5#).

Caution: Pretty safe – just watch the weight.

 “Also Rans”
Actually, these are not also-rans…they are every bit as worthy of the Top 5 list as any bicep workout:

Incline Dumbbell Curl – Great for working the long head muscle.

Supinated Bent-Over Rows – Great for bicep mass and also working the back.

Close-grip Chin-ups – Great for working biceps as well as back.