barbell curl

A upper arms exercise targeting the biceps, performed with barbell.

barbell curl demonstration
barbell curl — demonstration

Body part

Upper Arms

Equipment

Barbell

Target muscles

Biceps

Secondary muscles

Forearms

How to do barbell curl

  1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with an underhand grip, palms facing forward.

  2. Keep your elbows close to your torso and exhale as you curl the weights while contracting your biceps.

  3. Continue to raise the bar until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level.

  4. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.

  5. Inhale as you slowly begin to lower the bar back to the starting position.

  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles worked

Primary (target)

Biceps

Secondary

Forearms

Related exercises

All upper arms exercises →

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