Machine Biceps Curl — start position
Start
Machine Biceps Curl — end position
End

Arms / Beginner / Isolation (single joint)

Machine Biceps Curl

A seated machine curl using lever arms that isolates the biceps.

At a glance

Primary
Biceps
Secondary
Forearms & grip
Equipment
Machines
Movement pattern
Elbow flexion (curl)
Level
Beginner
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint)

How to do it

  1. Sit in the curl machine and adjust it so your elbows align with the machine's pivot.
  2. Grasp the handles with an underhand grip, arms extended.
  3. Curl the handles up toward your shoulders.
  4. Pause and lower slowly to the start.

Tips

  • Keep your back against the pad.
  • Avoid jerking the weight.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps — primary (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) (Back)Rear delts (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Biceps
  • Secondary: Forearms & grip

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.