12/12/2025
Why Kettlebells Beat Dumbbells for standard Bicep Curls 🔥💪
1️⃣ More Tension at the Top
Because the kettlebell’s mass sits behind and below the handle, your bicep has to work harder to stabilise the weight — especially at the top of the curl. More tension = better hypertrophy stimulus.
2️⃣ Increased Time Under Tension
The offset load keeps your biceps engaged throughout the whole rep. There’s no easy “rest point” at the top like you get with dumbbells.
3️⃣ Forces Cleaner Curl Mechanics
Because the weight hangs below the handle, swinging or cheating becomes harder. You naturally curl with better control and form.
4️⃣ Feels Heavier (In a Good Way)
A 10kg kettlebell feels like more than 10kg due to the leverage disadvantage — giving you more stimulus without increasing the number on the weight.
📝 There are obviously work arounds for controlling mechanical tension at stages of the movement with dumbbells like preacher curls and incline curls. There are also fancy lever devices for dumbbells.
Bottom Line:
If you want more tension, better control, and stronger arm development, kettlebell curls give you an edge over standard dumbbell curls. 🔥💥
