Muscles Used • Exercise Type • Form Instruction • Tips and Techniques • Recommended Reps • Common Variations • Substitutions • Equipment Needed
![]() | ![]() |
Bottom | Top |
Primary Mover(s) | Muscles Used: | Secondary Mover(s) |
---|---|---|
Forearms | ![]() | Biceps |
Other Mover(s) | ||
Traps, Delts (F) |
See all the exercises at the:
Weight Training Exercises Database
– Reverse-Grip Barbell Curls –
Exercise Type:
Isolated Exercise, Pull Movement
Form Instruction:
Standing, grasp barbell with an overhand shoulder width grip. Raise bar to upper chest and lower until just before arms are extended.
Tips and Techniques:
As much as possible, try to keep the elbow pinned to the sides. The elbow should only travel forward a slight amount in the completion of the exercise. Shoulders back and chest out. Legs shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent.
As with all curls, be very careful of letting momentum take over the lift. And be careful not to let other body parts jump in and help with the exercise. It is natural to want to bend at the waist to assist in the raising of the weight. Don’t do it. See the Barbell Biceps Curls page for some tips on how to keep proper form and therefore keep the tension on the forearms and biceps.
You can use a straight bar for reverse curls, however this will present wrist pain for some people. Pain is never part of proper exercise form. The EZ-curl bar (as pictured) allows a more natural line for the wrists and can help to eliminate wrist problems.
The lowering portion of the exercise (eccentric) can really work the forearms. To really target the forearms (brachioradialis muscle) focus on slowly lowering the weight.
Recommended Reps For Muscle Building:
6-12 the majority of the time, trying higher or lower reps on occasion.
Common Variations:
- Barbell Biceps Curls
- Reverse-Grip Preacher Curls – Same motion done on a preacher bench (see regular Preacher Curls)
- Reverse-Grip Dumbbell Curls – Same motion as ordinary Dumbbell Curls with a reverse grip.
- Machine-Based Biceps Curls – Some cable machines allow you to perform concentration curls.
Substitutions:
To target the forearm’s brachioradialis muscle, any curling motion using the reverse or hammer grip will do the trick. So, Dumbbell Hammer Curls and Reverse-Grip Dumbbell Curls are good substitutes.
Bodybuilding Equipment:
Barbell or EZ Curl Barbell and Weights
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