Exercise guide · Beginner · Compound

Dumbbell Standing One Arm Reverse Curl: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The dumbbell standing one arm reverse curl targets the biceps and forearms using a dumbbell with an overhand grip, emphasizing the brachialis and forearm extensors.

Primary muscles
Biceps
Secondary muscles
Forearms
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level · type
Beginner · Compound
Demonstration of the dumbbell standing one arm reverse curl
Front view: muscles worked by the dumbbell standing one arm reverse curl. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Back view: muscles worked by the dumbbell standing one arm reverse curl. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Primary Secondary

How to do the dumbbell standing one arm reverse curl

  1. Step 1: Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in one hand with an overhand grip.
  2. Step 2: Keep your arm fully extended and close to your body, with your palm facing down.
  3. Step 3: Slowly curl the dumbbell up towards your shoulder, keeping your upper arm stationary.
  4. Step 4: Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other arm.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the dumbbell standing one arm reverse curl 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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