Exercise guide · Beginner · Compound

Lever Reverse Grip Preacher Curl Mega: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The lever reverse grip preacher curl is an isolation exercise targeting the biceps, performed on a leverage machine with an underhand grip. It emphasizes the biceps and also engages the forearms, using the preacher pad to stabilize the upper arms and minimize cheating.

Primary muscles
Biceps
Secondary muscles
Forearms
Equipment
Leverage Machine
Level · type
Beginner · Compound
Demonstration of the lever reverse grip preacher curl mega
Front view: muscles worked by the lever reverse grip preacher curl mega. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Back view: muscles worked by the lever reverse grip preacher curl mega. Primary: biceps. Secondary: forearms.
Primary Secondary

How to do the lever reverse grip preacher curl mega

  1. Step 1: Adjust the seat height and position yourself on the leverage machine.
  2. Step 2: Grasp the handles with an underhand grip, palms facing up.
  3. Step 3: Rest your upper arms on the preacher pad, ensuring your elbows are fully extended.
  4. Step 4: Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the handles towards your shoulders.
  5. Step 5: Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your biceps.
  6. Step 6: Inhale and slowly lower the handles back to the starting position, fully extending your elbows. Focus on mega movement.
  7. Step 7: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the lever reverse grip preacher curl mega 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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