Wrist Curl

The wrist curl isolates the wrist flexors of the forearm through wrist flexion. It is a direct forearm isolation exercise often used to address forearm size and grip strength.

Beginner 💪 Forearms Isolation Isolation
3
Sets
15–20
Reps
45 sec
Rest
Isolation
Type
🏋️ Barbell🏋️ Dumbbell
Wrist Curl — start and finish positionsSTARTFINISH
Barbell Dumbbell
Forearms Beginner Isolation
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Muscles Worked

Learn more in the Forearms training guide →

Primary
Forearms
Highlighted muscles

How To Perform

  1. 1 Sit on a bench and drape your forearms over your thighs, wrists just beyond the knees.
  2. 2 Hold a barbell or dumbbell with a supinated grip.
  3. 3 Lower the wrist toward the floor, then curl upward.

Form Cues

  • ✓ Only the wrists should move — forearms remain on the thighs.
  • ✓ Full range of motion both directions.

Common Mistakes

  • ✗ Moving the forearms rather than just the wrists.
  • ✗ Using too heavy a weight.
💡 Professor Splits Says:

Progressive overload is the engine of muscle growth. Track your weights and aim to add small increments weekly. For Wrist Curl, this means gradually increasing load, volume (sets × reps), or decreasing rest periods over time.

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Where This Exercise Fits

FAQ

How many sets of Wrist Curl should I do?▾
3 sets of 15–20 reps is a solid starting point. Adjust based on your training frequency and overall weekly volume for forearms. Beginners should start with the lower end; advanced trainees can push toward the upper range.
What muscles does Wrist Curl target?▾
Wrist Curl primarily targets the Forearms.
Is Wrist Curl good for beginners?▾
Wrist Curl is beginner-friendly. Focus on technique with lighter loads before adding weight.
How much rest between sets?▾
For Wrist Curl, 45 sec of rest between sets is recommended. Isolation exercises can typically use shorter rest periods (45–90 sec) to maintain the pump and time efficiency.