10 Best Cable Reverse Curl Alternatives for When Cables Are Unavailable

The Cable Reverse Curl is done standing with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Cable Close Grip Curl, Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment and High Cable Curls. Three harder versions, the Overhead Cable Curl, the Cable Drag Curl and the Cable Reverse One Arm Curl, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

Cable Reverse CurlWatch the Cable Reverse Curl

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Cable Reverse Curl

The steps for the Cable Reverse Curl itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Biceps, with forearms · Cable · Beginner · Isolation

  1. Attach a straight bar to a low pulley cable machine.
  2. Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
  3. Grasp the bar with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
  4. Keep your elbows close to your sides and your upper arms stationary throughout the exercise.
  5. Exhale and curl the bar up towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
  6. Pause for a moment at the top, squeezing your biceps.
  7. Inhale and slowly lower the bar back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
  8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Cable Reverse Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Cable Reverse Curl on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Cable Close Grip CurlPlay demonstration

    1. Cable Close Grip Curl

    96% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    The same equipment, taken with a close grip.

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    1. Attach a straight bar to a low pulley cable machine.
    2. Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    3. Grasp the bar with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
    4. Keep your elbows close to your sides and your upper arms stationary throughout the exercise.
    5. Exhale and curl the bar up towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your biceps.
    7. Inhale and slowly lower the bar back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
    8. 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 Cable Reverse Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
  2. Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment

    2. Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment

    96% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    The same equipment, taken with a rope handle.

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    1. Attach a rope attachment to a low pulley and stand facing the machine about 12 inches away from it.
    2. Grasp the rope with a neutral (palms-in) grip and stand straight up keeping the natural arch of the back and your torso stationary.
    3. Put your elbows in by your side and keep them there stationary during the entire movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move; not your upper arms. This will be your starting position.
    4. Using your biceps, pull your arms up as you exhale until your biceps touch your forearms. Tip: Remember to keep the elbows in and your upper arms stationary.
    5. After a 1 second contraction where you squeeze your biceps, slowly start to bring the weight back to the original position.
    6. 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 Cable Reverse Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
  3. High Cable Curls

    3. High Cable Curls

    96% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    The same equipment, taken with an underhand grip.

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    1. Stand between a couple of high pulleys and grab a handle in each arm. Position your upper arms in a way that they are parallel to the floor with the palms of your hands facing you. This will be your starting position.
    2. Curl the handles towards you until they are next to your ears. Make sure that as you do so you flex your biceps and exhale. The upper arms should remain stationary and only the forearms should move. Hold for a second in the contracted position as you squeeze the biceps.
    3. Slowly bring back the arms to the starting position.
    4. 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 Cable Reverse Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
  4. Overhead Cable Curl

    Progression

    4. Overhead Cable Curl

    96% match

    Biceps · Intermediate · Isolation

    Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the biceps.

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    1. To begin, set a weight that is comfortable on each side of the pulley machine. Note: Make sure that the amount of weight selected is the same on each side.
    2. Now adjust the height of the pulleys on each side and make sure that they are positioned at a height higher than that of your shoulders.
    3. Stand in the middle of both sides and use an underhand grip (palms facing towards the ceiling) to grab each handle. Your arms should be fully extended and parallel to the floor with your feet positioned shoulder width apart from each other. Your body should be evenly aligned the handles. This is the starting position.
    4. While exhaling, slowly squeeze the biceps on each side until your forearms and biceps touch.
    5. While inhaling, move your forearms back to the starting position. Note: Your entire body is stationary during this exercise except for the forearms.
    6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions prescribed in your program.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl
    • Body position: standing, the same as the Cable Reverse Curl

Cable Reverse Curl FAQ

What muscles does Cable Reverse Curl work?

The Cable Reverse Curl primarily targets the brachialis and brachioradialis with secondary biceps brachii involvement. Using a pronated grip shifts moment arm away from the biceps long head, so keep wrists pronated and elbows locked to maximize forearm activation.

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