Barbell Bicep Curl vs Barbell Reverse Curl

Which one fits your Biceps workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Bicep Curl more often — 17,450 sessions vs 446. Compare Biceps form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Barbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Reverse Curl and pick the one that fits your Biceps workout.

Barbell Bicep Curl vs Barbell Reverse Curl: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Bicep Curl more often — 17,450 sessions compared to 446 for Barbell Reverse Curl.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Barbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Reverse Curl differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Barbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Reverse Curl Differ

What differsBarbell Bicep CurlBarbell Reverse Curl
Difficulty3 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users17,450 sessions446 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Barbell Bicep Curl or Barbell Reverse Curl fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Barbell Bicep Curl

Barbell Bicep Curl demo video

Barbell Bicep Curl Muscles Worked: Biceps

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell while keeping your elbows and shoulders fixed.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
  3. 3. When lowering the barbell, do not lower it completely; lower it just enough so that your biceps do not relax.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. If your wrist is uncomfortable, it may be because you are gripping the barbell too narrowly. Try gripping it a little wider.
  2. 2. If your wrist is still uncomfortable, please use an EZ bar.

For a full Barbell Bicep Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Bicep Curl exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Barbell Bicep Curl?Exercise Guide

How to Do Barbell Reverse Curl

Barbell Reverse Curl demo video

Barbell Reverse Curl Muscles Worked: Biceps

Form

  1. 1. Please lift the barbell while keeping your elbows and shoulders fixed.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
  3. 3. When lowering the barbell, do not lower it completely; lower it just enough so that your biceps do not relax.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Maintain a natural grip to avoid bending your wrist.
  2. 2. Keep your shoulders fixed and not raised.

For a full Barbell Reverse Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Reverse Curl exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Barbell Reverse Curl?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Biceps, Barbell Bicep Curl or Barbell Reverse Curl?

Planfit users log Barbell Bicep Curl more often — 17,450 sessions against 446 for Barbell Reverse Curl. Both train Biceps, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Barbell Bicep Curl and Barbell Reverse Curl need?

Barbell Bicep Curl needs a barbell, and Barbell Reverse Curl needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Barbell Bicep Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Reverse Curl once your form holds up.

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