LiftSets

LiftSets / Exercises / Barbell Curl

Barbell Curl

Works the biceps. Helped by the forearms.

Barbell Curl, start position, with the working muscles highlighted
Start
Barbell Curl, finish position, with the working muscles highlighted
Finish

Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.

Muscles worked

bicepsforearms

How many reps

GoalReps per set
Strength4-6
Muscle size8-12
Endurance12-20+

Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.

KitBarbell
LevelBeginner

What to think about

How to do it

  1. Stand up with your torso upright while holding a barbell at a shoulder-width grip. The palm of your hands should be facing forward and the elbows should be close to the torso. This will be your starting position.
  2. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights forward while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Tip: Only the forearms should move.
  3. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second and squeeze the biceps hard.
  4. Slowly begin to bring the bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Other exercises for the biceps

Track it in LiftSets

Log Barbell Curl with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.

Coming soon to the App Store