10 Best Cable Reverse Curl Alternatives for When Cables Are Unavailable

Ranked 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. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for 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.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Cable Close Grip Curl

   96% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, taken with a close grip.

   How to perform this exercise

   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. 

   2. Cable Hammer Curls - Rope Attachment

   96% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, taken with a rope handle.

   How to perform this exercise

   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. 

   3. High Cable Curls

   96% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   The same equipment, taken with an underhand grip.

   How to perform this exercise

   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. 

   Progression

   4. Overhead Cable Curl

   96% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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
5. Play demonstration

   5. Cable Curl

   95% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Grasp the cable attachment with an underhand grip, palms facing up.
   3. Keep your elbows close to your sides and your upper arms stationary.
   4. Exhale and curl the cable attachment towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your biceps.
   6. Inhale and slowly lower the cable attachment back to the starting position.
   7. 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
6. Play demonstration

   Progression

   6. Cable Drag Curl

   95% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand facing a cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Grasp the cable attachment with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and arms fully extended.
   3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the cable attachment towards your shoulders by contracting your biceps.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your biceps.
   5. Inhale and slowly lower the cable attachment back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
   6. 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
7. 

   7. Standing Biceps Cable Curl

   95% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand up with your torso upright while holding a cable curl bar that is attached to a low pulley. Grab the cable bar at shoulder width and keep the elbows close to the torso. The palm of your hands should be facing up (supinated grip). This will be your starting position.
   2. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the muscle.
   3. Slowly begin to bring the curl bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
   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
8. Play demonstration

   8. Cable Hammer Curl (With Rope)

   94% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
   2. Hold the cable rope attachment with an underhand grip, palms facing each other, and your arms fully extended.
   3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the weights while contracting your biceps.
   4. Continue to raise the cable rope attachment until your biceps are fully contracted and the rope is at shoulder level.
   5. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your biceps.
   6. Inhale and slowly begin to lower the cable rope attachment back to the starting position.
   7. 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
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable Reverse Curl
9. Play demonstration

   Progression

   9. Cable Reverse One Arm Curl

   92% match

   • Biceps
   • Cable
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand facing a cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Grasp the cable handle with an underhand grip, palm facing down.
   3. Keep your elbow close to your side and slowly curl your forearm up towards your shoulder.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your forearm back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   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
10. Play demonstration

    10. Cable Reverse Preacher Curl

    91% match

    • Biceps
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Adjust the cable machine so that the preacher curl pad is at chest height.
    2. Sit on the preacher curl bench and place your upper arms on the pad, with your palms facing down and your elbows fully extended.
    3. Grab the cable handles with an underhand grip, shoulder-width apart.
    4. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the handles towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your biceps.
    6. Inhale and slowly lower the handles back to the starting position, fully extending your elbows.
    7. 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: seated, not standing