All Exercises

Barbell Reverse Curl

Target your forearms and brachioradialis with the barbell reverse curl. This exercise builds grip strength and forearm mass using an overhand grip on a

Intermediate
Isolation
Pull
1 min per set2 min rest

Description

An exercise that targets the biceps and forearms by curling a barbell with an overhand grip.

How to Do Barbell Reverse Curl

  1. 1
    Setup

    Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees. Hold a barbell with an overhand (pronated) grip, hands shoulder-width apart, letting it hang at arm's length in front of your thighs.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Keep your elbows tucked close to your torso and ensure your wrists are straight, maintaining a neutral position without bending them up or down.

  3. 3

    Exhale and slowly curl the barbell upwards by flexing only at your elbows, keeping your upper arms stationary against your sides. Continue until your forearms are nearly vertical.

  4. 4

    Squeeze your forearms at the peak of the movement, consciously engaging the brachioradialis muscle for maximum contraction.

  5. 5

    Inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position with controlled movement, fully extending your arms without locking your elbows at the bottom.

Tips

  • Focus on forearm contraction: Actively think about pulling the weight up using your forearms, rather than primarily relying on your biceps.
  • Maintain wrist alignment: Keep your wrists perfectly straight and rigid throughout the entire movement to prevent strain and maximize brachioradialis engagement.
  • Control the eccentric phase: Slowly lowering the barbell on the way down increases time under tension, which is crucial for muscle growth and strength development.
  • Avoid swinging: Use a weight that allows you to perform the exercise with strict form, preventing momentum from assisting the lift.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Using too much momentum: Do not swing the weight up using your back or shoulders; reduce the weight to perform controlled elbow flexion.
  • ×Flaring elbows out: Keep your elbows pinned to your sides throughout the movement to isolate the forearms and biceps effectively.
  • ×Bending wrists during the curl: Maintain a neutral wrist position to prevent wrist strain and ensure optimal targeting of the brachioradialis.

Variations

Related Exercises

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