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Machine Preacher Curl: What is it, How to do, Alternatives

What is Machine Preacher Curl

The machine preacher curl, a variation of the standard preacher curl, is an upper arm workout performed on a machine. It hits muscles like the brachioradialis, brachialis, and wrist flexors and should be performed with an incredibly strict form. Otherwise, it will not be useful for improving your stability.

Machine Preacher Curl

Machine Preacher Curl Benefits

  • The machine preacher curl helps isolate the muscles of your upper arms while the movement totally focuses on the bicep muscles you intend to develop.
  • Since the exercise requires you to rest your arms on the machine, it removes shoulder flexion from the lift.
  • It not just strengthens your arms but also reduces the risks of soreness and injuries of your elbow joints.

Machine Preacher Curl Exercise Information

Other Names Preacher Machine Curl, Machine Biceps Curl
Exercise Type Strength
Skill Level Beginner
Equipment Needed Preacher curl machine
Muscles Worked Primary: Biceps; Secondary: None
Mechanics Isolation
Force Type Pull
Alternative Forms/Substitute Cable Preacher Curl, One-Arm Dumbbell Preacher Curl, Lying Barbell Curl
Variations Barbell Preacher Curl, Dumbbell Preacher Curl

How to do Machine Preacher Curl

  • Sit on a preacher curl machine and choose the desired weight you want to lift.
  • Place your triceps (the back of the upper arms) on the padding and hold the handles with an underhand grip (supinated grip) so that your palms are facing up. It is your initial position.
  • As you breathe out, contract your biceps and then lift the handles. Hold this contraction for 1-2 seconds at the top of the movement.
  • As you breathe in, lower the handles slowly back to your initial position.
  • Repeat the steps for the desired amount of reps.

Machine Preacher Curl Tips

  • Keep your elbows tucked in when placing the back of your upper arms on the preacher machine pad.
  • Move your forearms to lift the handles but make sure to keep your upper arms stationary.

Video: Machine Preacher Curl Proper Form

One thought on “Machine Preacher Curl: What is it, How to do, Alternatives

  1. What is the primary purpose of machine Preacher Curls?

    Is it to train both biceps, over all, or is it to train the bicep peak?

    When I train my bicep peaks, I use the Machine Preacher Curls, keeping my

    forearms as close together, as possible, and then, lowering the weight just

    short of full extension, so that the tension is still on the bicep, before quickly

    raising it. I normally use approximately 4 seconds to lower the weight, 1.5 seconds

    to raise the weight. I was talking to a young lifter at my gym, recently, and he seem

    to think that preacher curls could be used to train the outter and inner bicep, similar

    to using a long or EZ bar, where, grasping the bar close, it trains the outter bicep,

    and when grasping the bar wide, it trains the inner bicep. I seem to think that grasping

    the bar, where the “HALF-U” commences, instead of grasping the bar higher and wider,

    is the correct version to train the bicep peakes, and, by grasping the bar where the “HALF-U”

    commences, instead of grasping the bar, higher and wider up, gives the lifter more power

    together for a stronger lift. In addition, I believe that machine preacher curls, are to be used

    train the bicep peaks, and nothing else.

    Here is my e-mail address: dennishabern@hotmail.com

    Please reply to this e-mail at your earliest convenience.

    Thank you.

    Sincerely,

    Dennis Habern

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