Do preacher curls build more elbow flexor muscle than incline curls in recreationally trained women?

This single assertion does not include details about study design, sample size, measurement methods, or duration, so we cannot assess how strong or reliable the claim is. There are no studies in our review that contradict this, but there are also no additional studies to confirm or expand on it. Without more data, we cannot say whether this pattern holds across different training volumes, intensities, or individual responses.

The elbow flexors include muscles like the biceps and brachialis, which bend the elbow. Preacher curls fix the upper arm in place, which may change how tension is applied compared to incline curls, where the body is angled and the arms hang freely. These differences in movement could affect which parts of the muscle are worked more, but we don’t have enough evidence to explain why or how consistently this happens.

We don’t know if the difference in muscle growth is meaningful in real-world terms—like strength gains or appearance—nor do we know if other factors like recovery, diet, or training history play a role.

For now, the evidence we’ve reviewed leans toward preacher curls possibly offering a slight advantage in targeting the lower elbow flexors in this group, but it’s based on just one unsupported assertion. More research is needed to understand whether this difference is consistent, measurable, or worth prioritizing in a training plan.

If you’re a recreationally trained woman choosing between these two exercises, try both and see which one feels more effective for your goals—muscle growth isn’t just about the movement, but also about consistency and effort.