10 Best Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench Alternatives for Home

The Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench is done seated with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Barbell Wrist Curl, the Palms-up Barbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench and Dumbbell Finger Curls.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench

Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
Primary muscle
Forearms
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation
How to perform Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
  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.
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Ranked Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench 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. Palms-up Barbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Forearms
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • 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 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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
  2. Palms-down Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    The same equipment, taken with an overhand grip.

    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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
  3. Palms-down Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Forearms
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
  4. Seated Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

    It still works the forearms, through a different movement.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start out by placing two dumbbells on the floor in front of a flat bench.
    2. Sit down on the edge of the flat bench with your legs at about shoulder width apart. Make sure to keep your feet on the floor.
    3. Use your arms to grab both of the dumbbells and bring them up so that your forearms are resting against your thighs with the palms of the hands facing up. Your wrists should be hanging over the edge of your thighs.
    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. Tip: Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise.
    6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
    7. When finished, simply lower the dumbbells to the floor.

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

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Forearms
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: standing, not seated
    • 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 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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: standing, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • 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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • 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 Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench
    • Equipment: a band, not free weights
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench

How to Choose the Right Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench Substitute

Choose a substitute based on equipment, pain tolerance, and training goal. If you lack a bench but want the same isolation, use seated dumbbell wrist curls with your forearm on your thigh and a slow 2-1-2 tempo to overload the flexors. If you want grip transfer, pick farmer's carries and keep shoulders pulled back and wrist neutral so the brachioradialis and finger flexors work under load. For rehab or low load, use resistance-band wrist curls and control scapular position to limit shoulder involvement.

Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench FAQ

What muscles does Palms-up Dumbbell Wrist Curl Over A Bench work?

It primarily targets the wrist flexors: flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, and the flexor digitorum group. The movement isolates wrist flexion; keep the forearm supported and move only the wrist to maximize flexor activation and limit biceps or shoulder involvement.

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Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology