Barbell Curl

Intermediate
Barbell Curl animated demonstration
Animation © Gym visual

How to Do It

  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.

Range of Motion

Arms fully extended to forearms vertical or slightly past.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ×Swinging the body to generate momentum
  • ×Letting the elbows drift forward
  • ×Dropping the weight too fast on the way down

Prescription

3Sets
10-15Reps
Rest interval60-90 sec

Goal

Build overall bicep strength and tone

Body Part

Upper Arms

Equipment

Barbell

Muscles Worked

PrimaryBiceps
Secondary
Forearms