Barbell Curl
The Barbell Curl primarily works the Biceps Brachii (Long Head), Biceps Brachii (Short Head), with secondary activation of the Brachialis, Brachioradialis and stabilizer support from the Anterior Deltoid, Levator Scapulae, Rectus Abdominis, Transverse Abdominis, Trapezius (Middle), Trapezius (Upper), Wrist Flexors. It is a barbell isolation exercise at beginner difficulty.
Standing barbell curl with supinated grip emphasizing biceps.
| Equipment | Barbell |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Type | Isolation |
| Movement | Flexion |
| Force | Pull |
| Laterality | Bilateral |
| Primary | Biceps Brachii (Long Head), Biceps Brachii (Short Head) |
| Secondary | Brachialis, Brachioradialis |
Muscles Worked
Front
Back
Primary
Secondary
Stabilizer
Primary Muscles
- Primary Muscle Biceps Brachii (Long Head) (biceps)
- Primary Muscle Biceps Brachii (Short Head) (biceps)
Secondary Muscles
- Secondary Muscle Brachialis (biceps)
- Secondary Muscle Brachioradialis (biceps)
Stabilizer Muscles
- Stabilizer Muscle Anterior Deltoid (shoulders)
- Stabilizer Muscle Levator Scapulae (neck)
- Stabilizer Muscle Rectus Abdominis (core)
- Stabilizer Muscle Transverse Abdominis (core)
- Stabilizer Muscle Trapezius (Middle) (back)
- Stabilizer Muscle Trapezius (Upper) (back)
- Stabilizer Muscle Wrist Flexors (forearms)
Instructions
- Preparation: Grasp bar with shoulder width underhand grip. Execution: With elbows to side, raise bar until forearms are vertical. Lower until arms are fully extended. Repeat. Comments: When elbows are fully flexed, they can travel forward slightly allowing forearms to be no more than vertical. This additional movement allows for relative release of tension in muscles between repetitions. Exercise can also be performed withstraight barbell. Movement with cambered bar as shown above is also known as EZ Barbell Curl or EZ Bar Curl. Also seemechanical analysis of arm curlandquestion regarding elbow position.
Alternative Exercises
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