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Forearms

Wrist curl: how to do it right

The wrist curl raises and lowers the dumbbells by bending only your wrist. It works your forearm flexors and improves your grip.

Main muscle
Forearms
Also works
Grip
Equipment
Dumbbells and bench
Level
Beginner
Wrist curl: start position
Start position
Wrist curl: end position
End position

Step by step

  1. Sit with your forearms resting on your thighs and your wrists past your knees, palms up.
  2. Let the dumbbells lower by bending your wrists down.
  3. Curl the dumbbells up by bending your wrists upwards.
  4. Lower slowly.

Tip: Deadlifts and pull-ups also improve your grip a lot.

Common mistakes

Moving your forearms

Only your wrist moves; your forearms stay supported.

Too much weight

Use a light weight and lots of reps.

Rushing

Control the lowering.

Sets and reps

Guide ranges. Start with a weight where the last rep is hard but your technique holds.

GoalSetsRepsRest
Strength3–53–62–3 min
Build muscle3–46–121.5–2 min
Health and fitness2–310–151 min

In GymOrbita you log every set and the app suggests the weight for your next session based on what you did last time.

Alternatives

If the machine is busy or you want a variation:

FAQ

How many reps?

Between 15 and 20 with a light weight works well for the forearms.

General technique information, not a substitute for professional advice. If you have an injury or pain, check with a doctor or physiotherapist first.

Add wrist curl to your routine

GymOrbita has this exercise with its animation: log the weight and reps of every set and track your progress. Free.