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Last updated February 2, 2026
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bicepsforearmstriceps
Biceps Curl - Reverse (Dumbbell)
Hold dumbbells with palms facing your thighs. Curl up keeping palms down. Great for forearm size and grip strength.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mechanic
- Isolation
- Force
- Pull
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Low
- Hypertrophy
- High
- Calorie Burn
- Low
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
forearm extensors
Secondary
outer bicep / brachialis
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
dumbbell
Movement pattern
Bilateral
Posture
Standing
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand.
- Let your arms hang down at your sides with your palms facing your thighs.
- Step 2Grip the Dumbbells
- Use an overhand grip (palms facing down) to hold the dumbbells.
- Ensure your grip is firm but not overly tight to avoid unnecessary tension in your hands.
- Step 3Position Your Body
- Stand tall with your shoulders back and chest up, engaging your core for stability.
- Keep your elbows close to your body and your wrists straight.
- Step 4Curl the Dumbbells
- Bend your elbows to lift the dumbbells towards your shoulders, keeping your palms facing down throughout the movement.
- Focus on using your biceps to lift the weights, avoiding any swinging or momentum.
- Step 5Lower the Dumbbells
- Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position with your arms fully extended.
- Maintain control throughout the movement to engage your muscles effectively.
- Step 6Repeat
- Repeat the curl and lower for the desired number of repetitions, ensuring proper form with each rep.
- Step 7Finish the Exercise
- After completing your reps, carefully lower the dumbbells to your sides.
- Take a moment to stand tall and relax your arms before moving on to your next exercise.