Exercise 0206 · REF eOG0r6v

Cable Reverse Curl exercise animation

Cable Reverse Curl

Category
Upper Arms
Equipment
Cable
Target
Biceps

Flipping to an overhand, reverse grip on a cable curl shifts emphasis away from the biceps and onto the brachialis and forearm extensors, muscles that a standard curl barely touches. It's one of the more direct ways to build forearm and grip strength without doing wrist curls specifically. Expect to use noticeably less weight than a standard curl — the muscles doing the work here are simply smaller.

How to Do the Cable Reverse Curl

  1. Attach a straight bar to a low pulley cable machine.
  2. Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
  3. Grasp the bar with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
  4. Keep your elbows close to your sides and your upper arms stationary throughout the exercise.
  5. Exhale and curl the bar up towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
  6. Pause for a moment at the top, squeezing your biceps.
  7. Inhale and slowly lower the bar back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
  8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Cable Reverse Curl primarily targets the Biceps, with Forearms as the primary synergist muscle group.

More Upper Arms Exercises

More Biceps Exercises

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have cable? These target the same biceps with different equipment.

FAQ

What muscles does the Cable Reverse Curl work?
The Cable Reverse Curl primarily targets the biceps, with the forearms as the main supporting muscle group.
What equipment do I need for the Cable Reverse Curl?
The Cable Reverse Curl is done with a cable.
What's a good alternative to the Cable Reverse Curl?
If you don't have access to a cable, the Biceps Leg Concentration Curl targets the same biceps using body weight instead.