Barbell Reverse Curls (How To, Muscles Worked, Benefits)
Reverse Curls are one of the best biceps exercises for not only working the biceps but engaging the forearms as well. This is because using an overhand grip focuses on the wrist extensors versus the more dominant wrist flexors.
Here are instructions on how to do reverse curls, step-by-step, along with what muscles reverse curls work and a few alternatives if you’re unable to do them.
How To Do Reverse Curls
Equipment Needed
- Barbell
- Weight Plates
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Stand tall, back straight, head up, feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold the barbell with both hands, palms down (pronated grip).
- Start with the bar at arm’s length against the upper thighs.
- Curl the bar up towards the shoulders until the forearms touch the biceps.
- Keep upper elbows close to the side.
- Lower the bar back to starting position using the same path.
- Continue until all reps are completed.
Coaching Points
You’ll most likely need to use less weight than you would normally use for barbell curls. The wrist extensors will be the limiting factor here that will dictate how much weight you’re able to use.
By far the most common mistake with any curl exercise, but perhaps even more so with barbell curls is swinging and rocking in an attempt to lift more weight. If you need to swing the bar, use momentum or generally contort your body to move the weight, it’s too heavy. Lower the weight and use proper form.
Benefits
Reverse barbell curls, like regular Barbell Curls, will help strengthen and grow the biceps.
However, the main benefit of using a pronated grip (overhand) for barbell curls is the challenge it places on the forearms. Reverse Barbell Curls put an enormous emphasis on the forearm extensors and are one of the best exercises for adding muscle mass to the forearms and improving grip strength.
How Many Reps?
Barbell Reverse Curls are a supplemental strength exercise for the biceps and forearms. Recommended rep ranges are 2 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps.
Muscles Worked
Reverse Curls work muscles both in the biceps:
- Biceps brachii
- Brachialis
- Brachioradialis
and in the forearm:
- Extensor carpi radialis longus
- Extensor carpi radialis brevis
- Extensor digitorum
- Extensor digiti minimi
- Extensor carpi ulnaris
Reverse Curl Alternatives
If you’re unable to do reverse curls, for whatever reason, here are a few reverse curl alternatives.
Zottman Curls
If you don’t have a barbell, but you do have dumbbells – Zottman Curls are a great alternative to Barbell Reverse Curls. They can also be a good choice if you can only work one arm due to a limitation and/or injury.
The angle that you generally do Zottman Curls also isn’t as drastic as with a bar so most lifters will find them to be a bit more comfortable on the wrist joint.
Band Curls
Band Curls are another good reverse curl alternative if you don’t have access to a barbell. If you have a resistance band, simply stand on the band and curl. One of the easiest exercises to pick up for a beginner.
You can also play the grip on Band Curls – supinated, neutral and pronated – and still do a reverse curl by grabbing the band with an overhand grip.
More Links and Info
Looking for more biceps and triceps exercises? Check out the Arm Farm section of the Horton Barbell Exercise Library. There you’ll find dozens of arm movements to build bigger, stronger arms.
