Exercise guide · Beginner · Compound

Cable Seated One Arm Concentration Curl with Complete: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The cable seated one arm concentration curl is an isolation exercise targeting the biceps, performed using a cable machine while seated. It emphasizes strict form and muscle contraction by stabilizing the upper arm against the thigh.

Primary muscles
Biceps
Secondary muscles
Forearms
Equipment
Cable
Level · type
Beginner · Compound
Demonstration of the cable seated one arm concentration curl with complete
Front view: muscles worked by the cable seated one arm concentration curl with complete. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Back view: muscles worked by the cable seated one arm concentration curl with complete. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Primary Secondary

How to do the cable seated one arm concentration curl with complete

  1. Step 1: Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the floor and your back straight.
  2. Step 2: Hold a cable handle with one hand and place your elbow on the inside of your thigh, just above the knee.
  3. Step 3: complete variation Keep your upper arm stationary and curl the cable handle towards your shoulder while exhaling.
  4. Step 4: Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your biceps.
  5. Step 5: Slowly lower the cable handle back to the starting position while inhaling.
  6. Step 6: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the cable seated one arm concentration curl with complete by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

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