Standing Palms-Up Barbell Behind The Back Wrist Curl

An isolation exercise performed with a barbell held behind the body, using wrist flexion to target the forearm flexors.
- Start by standing straight and holding a barbell behind your glutes at arm’s length while using a pronated grip (palms will be facing back away from the glutes) and having your hands shoulder width apart from each other.
- You should be looking straight forward while your feet are shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position.
- While exhaling, slowly elevate the barbell up by curling your wrist in a semi-circular motion towards the ceiling. Note: Your wrist should be the only body part moving for this exercise.
- Hold the contraction for a second and lower the barbell back down to the starting position while inhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
- When finished, lower the barbell down to the squat rack or the floor by bending the knees. Tip: It is easiest to either pick it up from a squat rack or have a partner hand it to you.
Recommended starting values
Sensible novice starting points for each goal, for a lifter aged 25–40. Scale down for smaller frames or older lifters. Treat the first set of any session as a discovery set.
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |||
| Gain strength | 3 | 15 reps | 17.5 kg | 10 kg |
| Build muscle | 3 | 18 reps | 15 kg | 10 kg |
| Build endurance | 3 | 25 reps | 12.5 kg | 7.5 kg |
Alternatives
Exercises that target the same muscles with the same force and mechanic.
beginner strength
intermediate strength
intermediate strength
Reverse Curl (Band)
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Seated One-Arm Dumbbell Palms-Down Wrist Curl
Learn more about seated one-arm dumbbell palms-down wrist curl intermediate strength
Seated One-Arm Dumbbell Palms-Up Wrist Curl
Learn more about seated one-arm dumbbell palms-up wrist curl beginner strength
beginner strength
beginner strength
Seated Two-Arm Palms-Up Low-Pulley Wrist Curl
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Wrist Supination (Band)
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