All exercises
barbell·isolation

Barbell Bicep Curl

bicepsforearms

How to

The technique.

  1. 01

    Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell with an underhand grip.

  2. 02

    Keep your elbows tucked close to your sides and core braced.

  3. 03

    Curl the barbell upwards towards your chest, squeezing your biceps at the top.

  4. 04

    Maintain control throughout the movement, avoiding swinging the weight.

  5. 05

    Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.

Common mistakes

What goes wrong.

  • ×Swinging the weight and using momentum, rather than muscle control.
  • ×Flaring elbows out to the sides, reducing bicep isolation.
  • ×Rounding the back or leaning back excessively, risking injury.
  • ×Not achieving full range of motion, stopping short of full extension or full curl.
  • ×Gripping the bar too tightly, over-engaging forearms.
Build a program around this

Your program.
Your body.
Your weights.

A 60-second quiz and we’ll generate a periodized program featuring Barbell Bicep Curl — plus everything that complements it.

Take the 60-second quiz
Related exercises

If you like this one.