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Every exercise ranked by research, by lifters and by results. Find what’s S-tier for your goal, then train it.

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Explore/Biceps/Compare

For biceps growth

Bayesian Cable Curl vs Preacher Curl

For biceps growth, Bayesian cable curl rates well ahead on our research criteria: easier on the joints, more stretch.

Both are good choices that train the biceps the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.

S
#1
of 19
Bayesian Cable Curl
Cable
A
#6
of 19
Preacher Curl
Barbell
Research score
95
79
Target tension
Excellent
Excellent
Loaded stretch
Excellent
Strong
Progression
Strong
Strong
Low cost
Excellent
Good
See the full biceps ranking
What these mean
Target tension.
Whether the muscle you’re training is what gives out first, not your grip, balance or other muscles.
Loaded stretch.
How hard the muscle works while stretched. Training it there is linked to more growth.
Progression.
How easily you can keep adding weight in small steps over months and years.
Low cost.
How easy it is on your joints and recovery, and how quickly you can learn it.

The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work

When each one fits

Good reasons to choose Bayesian cable curl

  • You want something easier on your joints
  • You want more load on the biceps while they’re stretched
  • One side is weaker than the other

Good reasons to choose preacher curl

  • The EZ bar is free
Bayesian Cable Curl
Preacher Curl
You need
Cable station
EZ bar, bench
Skill
Easy to learn
Easy to learn
Type
Isolation
Isolation
One side at a time
Yes
No
Why they rank where they do

Bayesian Cable Curl. Arm behind the body puts the biceps under load in its longest position.

Preacher Curl. Big stretch, but bouncing out of the bottom is where elbows get tweaked.

Questions

Which is better for biceps growth, Bayesian cable curl or preacher curl?

For biceps growth, Bayesian cable curl rates well ahead on our research criteria: easier on the joints, more stretch. Both are good choices that train the biceps the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.

Is Bayesian cable curl or preacher curl easier to learn?

About the same: both are easy to learn.

Can you do Bayesian cable curl or preacher curl at home?

Bayesian cable curl needs a cable station, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Preacher curl needs an EZ bar and a bench, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.

Which is easier on the joints, Bayesian cable curl or preacher curl?

Bayesian cable curl: it rates Excellent for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric, against Good for preacher curl.

More comparisons

  • Bayesian Cable Curl vs Machine Preacher Curl
  • Bayesian Cable Curl vs Incline Dumbbell Curl
  • Bayesian Cable Curl vs Cable Curl
  • Preacher Curl vs Rope Hammer Curl
  • EZ-Bar Curl vs Preacher Curl
  • Dumbbell Curl vs Preacher Curl
Bayesian Cable CurlPreacher CurlAll biceps exercises