Lying Cable Curl
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Lying Cable Curl
- Grab a straight bar or E-Z bar attachment that is attached to the low pulley with both hands, using an underhand (palms facing up) shoulder-width grip.
- Lie flat on your back on top of an exercise mat in front of the weight stack with your feet flat against the frame of the pulley machine and your legs straight.
- With your arms extended and your elbows close to your body slightly bend your arms. This will be your starting position.
- While keeping your upper arms stationary and the elbows close to your body, curl the bar up slowly toward your chest as you breathe out and you squeeze the biceps.
- After a second squeeze at the top of the movement, slowly return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Lying Cable Curl
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
-
1
Lying High Bench Barbell Curl
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a barbell.
-
2
Overhead Cable Curl
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
-
3
Standing One-Arm Cable Curl
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
-
4
Lying Supine Dumbbell Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using dumbbells.
-
5
Cable Preacher Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
-
6
Drag Curl
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the biceps, using a barbell.
-
7
Dumbbell Prone Incline Curl
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using dumbbells.
-
8
Lying Close-Grip Bar Curl On High Pulley
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
-
9
Reverse Cable Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
-
10
Seated Close-Grip Concentration Barbell Curl
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a barbell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do lying cable curl work?
Lying Cable Curl primarily works the biceps.
What equipment do I need for lying cable curl?
Lying Cable Curl uses cable machine.
Lying Cable Curl: is it suitable for beginners?
Lying Cable Curl is rated intermediate. Movements that assume you already own the basic pattern and are ready to load it.
What can I do instead of lying cable curl?
Lying High Bench Barbell Curl, Overhead Cable Curl, Standing One-Arm Cable Curl train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my lying cable curl reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; lying cable curl can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Lying Cable Curl with AI
Fitnit automatically tracks push-ups, crunches, squats, pull-ups, and curls with advanced body tracking technology — and you can manually input any other workout too. Start free — Pro is $8.99/month.