If you think you need a gym full of dumbbells to grow your biceps, think again. With the right technique and consistency, you can achieve a solid home biceps workout without equipment. Whether you’re tight on space, traveling, or just prefer to train at home, bodyweight exercises can effectively target your arms — especially your biceps — with creative resistance and smart form.
Why Bodyweight Biceps Workouts Work
Your biceps are responsible for elbow flexion and forearm rotation — and those motions can be trained without weights by manipulating leverage, tempo, and angles. The key is tension. As long as your muscles are under load and challenged through a full range of motion, they’ll grow and strengthen.
7 Biceps Exercises to Do at Home Without Equipment
These exercises use only your bodyweight and everyday surfaces like walls, floors, or doorframes. No bands, no weights, no problem.
1. Reverse Hand Push-Ups (Biceps Push-Ups)
Flip your hands so your fingers face your feet. This variation puts more emphasis on your biceps and forearms. Keep your elbows tucked in and lower slowly to maximize the stretch and contraction.
Tip: Perform these on your knees at first if full push-ups are too intense.
2. Wall Curl Isometric Hold
Stand in front of a wall, press your fists into it as if curling a barbell. Engage your biceps and contract hard. Hold for 30 seconds, rest, and repeat. Isometrics are fantastic for activating muscle fibers in a static position.
3. Doorframe Rows (Underhand Grip)
Stand in a doorway, grab both sides with your palms facing up, and lean back. Pull your body forward using your arms. The underhand grip hits your biceps more than your back.
Modify the angle: The more you lean back, the harder the move.
4. Towel Curls
Loop a towel around a sturdy object (like a doorknob). Grip the ends with an underhand grip and curl yourself toward the anchor point. Focus on squeezing your biceps at the top of each rep.
Bonus: You can use one arm at a time to increase difficulty.
5. Table Chin-Ups (Inverted Rows with Supinated Grip)
If you have a sturdy table, lie underneath it and grip the edge with palms facing you. Pull your chest up to the table. Keep your elbows close to your body to target your biceps effectively.
6. Self-Resistance Curls
Use one arm to resist the other. For example, curl your right arm while pushing down with your left hand to create tension. Go slow — control both up and down phases.
7. Slow Eccentric Chin-Up Holds (If You Have a Bar or Ledge)
If you can access a pull-up bar, ledge, or even a tree branch, use it! Jump up to a chin-up position and slowly lower yourself for 3–5 seconds. This “negative” motion is powerful for building strength and muscle.
Structure Your At-Home Biceps Workout
Here’s a sample structure to follow 3–4 times per week:
Exercise | Sets | Reps or Time |
---|---|---|
Reverse Hand Push-Ups | 3 | 10–12 |
Doorframe Rows | 3 | 8–10 per side |
Wall Curl Isometric Hold | 3 | 30 seconds hold |
Self-Resistance Curls | 3 | 10 each arm |
Slow Chin-Up Negatives | 3 | 5–8 seconds each |
Rest 30–45 seconds between sets.
Pro Tips for Better Results
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Focus on form: Without equipment, technique matters even more.
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Slow down: Slow eccentrics (lowering phases) create more tension.
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Stay consistent: You don’t need heavy weights, but you do need regular sessions.
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Progress over time: Add reps, slow the tempo, or reduce rest time.
Final Thoughts
Training your biceps at home without equipment is not just possible — it’s effective when done right. With bodyweight movements that emphasize control and tension, you can build stronger, more defined arms without stepping foot in a gym. Stay consistent, push yourself with each session, and your results will speak for themselves.
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