Reverse Barbell Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a barbell.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Reverse Barbell Curl
- Stand up with your torso upright while holding a barbell at shoulder width with the elbows close to the torso. The palm of your hands should be facing down (pronated grip). This will be your starting position.
- While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the muscle.
- Slowly begin to bring the bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Reverse Barbell 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.
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1
Reverse Cable Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
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2
Barbell Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a barbell.
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3
Close-Grip Standing Barbell Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a barbell.
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4
Reverse Barbell Preacher Curls
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using an E-Z curl bar.
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5
Standing Dumbbell Reverse Curl
An intermediate isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using dumbbells.
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6
Wide-Grip Standing Barbell Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a barbell.
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7
Alternate Hammer Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using dumbbells.
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8
Alternate Incline Dumbbell Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using dumbbells.
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9
Cable Preacher Curl
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using a cable machine.
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10
Close-Grip EZ-Bar Curl with Band
A beginner isolation strength exercise that works the biceps, using an E-Z curl bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do reverse barbell curl work?
Reverse Barbell Curl primarily works the biceps. The forearms assist as secondary muscles.
What equipment do I need for reverse barbell curl?
Reverse Barbell Curl uses barbell.
Reverse Barbell Curl: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Reverse Barbell Curl is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of reverse barbell curl?
Reverse Cable Curl, Barbell Curl, Close-Grip Standing Barbell Curl train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my reverse barbell curl reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; reverse barbell 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 Reverse Barbell 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.