Barbell Drag Curl — start position
Start
Barbell Drag Curl — end position
End

Arms / Intermediate / Isolation (single joint)

Barbell Drag Curl

A barbell curl where the bar is dragged up the torso with the elbows moving back, emphasizing the biceps.

At a glance

Primary
Biceps
Secondary
Forearms & grip, Rear delts
Equipment
Barbell
Movement pattern
Elbow flexion (curl)
Level
Intermediate
Type
Arms, Isolation (single joint)

How to do it

  1. Stand holding a barbell with a shoulder-width grip, arms extended against your thighs.
  2. Pull your elbows back as you curl, keeping the bar in contact with your body.
  3. Drag the bar up your torso to your lower chest.
  4. Lower the bar along the same path to the start.

Tips

  • Do not let the elbows come forward; they travel back behind the body.

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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 — secondary (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, Rear delts

Best for

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