10 Best Barbell Wrist Curl Alternatives for Equipment-Limited Gyms

Ranked Barbell Wrist Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Barbell Wrist Curl on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   

   1. Palms-up Barbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench

   99% match

   • Forearms
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   It uses the same equipment and still works the forearms.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start out by placing a barbell on one side of a flat bench.
   2. Kneel down on both of your knees so that your body is facing the flat bench.
   3. Use your arms to grab the barbell with a supinated grip (palms up) and bring them up so that your forearms are resting against the flat bench. Your wrists should be hanging over the edge.
   4. Start out by curling your wrist upwards and exhaling.
   5. Slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position while inhaling.
   6. Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise.
   7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
2. 

   2. Palms-down Wrist Curl Over A Bench

   96% match

   • Forearms
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, taken with an overhand grip.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start out by placing a barbell on one side of a flat bench.
   2. Kneel down on both of your knees so that your body is facing the flat bench.
   3. Use your arms to grab the barbell with a pronated grip (palms down) and bring them up so that your forearms are resting against the flat bench. Your wrists should be hanging over the edge.
   4. Start out by curling your wrist upwards and exhaling.
   5. Slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position while inhaling.
   6. Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise.
   7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
3. 

   3. Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench

   90% match

   • Forearms
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the forearms.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start out by placing two dumbbells on one side of a flat bench.
   2. Kneel down on both of your knees so that your body is facing the flat bench.
   3. Use your arms to grab both of the dumbbells with a supinated grip (palms up) and bring them up so that your forearms are resting against the flat bench. Your wrists should be hanging over the edge.
   4. Start out by curling your wrist upwards and exhaling.
   5. Slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position while inhaling. Make sure to inhale during this part of the exercise.
   6. Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise.
   7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
4. Play demonstration

   4. Dumbbell Finger Curls

   89% match

   • Forearms
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench or chair with your feet flat on the ground and your back straight.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand with an underhand grip, resting your forearm on your thigh, palm facing up.
   3. Allow the dumbbell to roll down to your fingertips, then curl it back up by flexing your fingers.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other hand.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Wrist Curl
5. Play demonstration

   5. Barbell Standing Back Wrist Curl

   88% match

   • Forearms
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, done standing instead.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with an overhand grip.
   2. Rest the barbell on the back of your hands with your palms facing down and your fingers pointing towards your body.
   3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl your wrists upwards as far as possible.
   4. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause, then inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: standing, not seated
6. Play demonstration

   6. Finger Curls

   86% match

   • Forearms
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want to work the forearms with more balance to manage.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a barbell with an underhand grip, palms facing up.
   2. Rest your forearms on your thighs, allowing your wrists to hang off the edge.
   3. Slowly curl your fingers towards your palms, squeezing the barbell tightly.
   4. Hold the contraction for a moment, then slowly release your fingers back to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Barbell Wrist Curl
7. 

   7. Palms-down Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench

   86% match

   • Forearms
   • Dumbbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start out by placing two dumbbells on one side of a flat bench.
   2. Kneel down on both of your knees so that your body is facing the flat bench.
   3. Use your arms to grab both of the dumbbells with a pronated grip (palms facing down) and bring them up so that your forearms are resting against the flat bench. Your wrists should be hanging over the edge.
   4. Start out by curling your wrist upwards and exhaling.
   5. Slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position while inhaling.
   6. Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise.
   7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
8. Play demonstration

   8. Barbell Reverse Wrist Curl

   86% match

   • Forearms
   • Barbell
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a barbell with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
   2. Rest your forearms on your thighs, allowing your wrists to hang off the edge.
   3. Slowly curl your wrists upward, bringing the barbell towards your body.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
9. Play demonstration

   9. Band Wrist Curl

   85% match

   • Forearms
   • Band
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench or chair with your feet flat on the ground.
   2. Hold the band with both hands, palms facing up, and rest your forearms on your thighs.
   3. Slowly curl your wrists upward, squeezing your forearms.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
   • Equipment: a band, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
10. 

    10. Seated Palm-up Barbell Wrist Curl

    85% match

    • Forearms
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Hold a barbell with both hands and your palms facing up; hands spaced about shoulder width.
    2. Place your feet flat on the floor, at a distance that is slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
    3. Lean forward and place your forearms on top of your upper thighs with your palms up. Tip: Make sure that the front of the wrists lay on top of your knees. This will be your starting position.
    4. Lower the bar as far as possible while inhaling and keeping a tight grip.
    5. Now curl bar up as high as possible while flexing the forearms and exhaling. Hold the contraction at the top for a second and Tip: Only the wrist should move.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Barbell Wrist Curl