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Barbell Wrist Curl: starting position Barbell Wrist Curl: end position

Forearms & Grip · Forearms

Barbell Wrist Curl

A forearms & grip exercise that works the forearms. Beginner level, using barbell & rack.

BeginnerBarbell & rackGym

Muscles worked

PrimaryForearms

Forearm flexors.

Setup and loading

Underhand grip.

How to do the barbell wrist curl step by step

  1. Kneel in front of the bench with your forearms resting on it, palms up.
  2. Let your wrists drop.
  3. Curl them up and lower.

Form cues

  • Forearms fixed
  • Pause at the top

Common mistakes

  • Lifting your elbows
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Sets and reps for your goal

Hypertrophy

3 x 10-15 · rest 60 s

3-4 sets of 6-12 reps (up to 15-20 on isolation exercises) at 65-80% of your max. Rest 1 to 2 minutes.

Get close to failure (0-3 reps in reserve) and control the lowering for 2-3 seconds. Accumulate 10-20 sets per muscle per week.

A guide for healthy adults. Adjust the load to your level and see a professional if you have an injury.

Check your form

Film yourself from the side or ask someone to watch, then tick what you get right.

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Sports it suits

Gear for this exercise

  • Olympic barbell and platesTo keep progressing on the big lifts with heavy loads.

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Variations and similar exercises

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