10 Best Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl Alternatives for Grip & Rehab

The Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl is done seated with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-down Wrist Curl, the Dumbbell One Arm Wrist Curl and the Dumbbell Over Bench Wrist Curl. Two harder versions, the Dumbbell Over Bench One Arm Wrist Curl and the Dumbbell Over Bench One Arm Neutral Wrist Curl, are listed below as progressions rather than swaps.

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

Original Exercise: Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl

Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
Primary muscle
Forearms
Equipment
Dumbbell
Difficulty
Beginner
Type
Isolation
How to perform Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
  1. Sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell in your right hand.
  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 right forearm on top of your upper right thigh with your palm up. Tip: Make sure that the front of the wrist lies on top of your knees. This will be your starting position.
  4. Lower the dumbbell as far as possible as you keep a tight grip on the dumbbell. Inhale as you perform this movement.
  5. Now curl the dumbbell as high as possible as you contract the forearms and as you exhale. Keep the contraction for a second before you lower again. Tip: The only movement should happen at the wrist.
  6. Perform for the recommended amount of repetitions, switch arms and repeat the movement.
Filter Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl alternatives by your equipmentTell us what you have and we'll hide exercises you can't do.

Quick presets

Equipment you can use
20 more equipment types

Sign in to remember your equipment on every page.

Ranked Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up 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. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

  1. Progression

    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

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

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in one hand, palm facing down.
    2. Rest your forearm on the bench with your wrist hanging off the edge.
    3. Slowly curl your wrist upwards, bringing the dumbbell towards your forearm.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other arm.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
  2. Progression

    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with a dumbbell in one hand and your arm extended over the bench, palm facing up.
    2. Keep your upper arm stationary and curl the dumbbell towards your shoulder, keeping your wrist in a neutral position.
    3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench or chair with your feet flat on the ground.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand with an underhand grip, resting your forearm on your thigh.
    3. Allow your wrist to extend, letting the dumbbell roll down towards your fingers.
    4. Slowly curl your wrist back up, bringing the dumbbell towards your forearm.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other hand.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your forearms resting on the bench and your palms facing up, holding a dumbbell in each hand.
    2. Allow your wrists to hang over the edge of the bench.
    3. Slowly curl your wrists upward, squeezing your forearms at the top of the movement.
    4. Pause for a moment, 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 Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
  3. Seated Palm-up Barbell Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation

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

    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
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing up.
    2. Rest your forearms on the bench, allowing your wrists to hang off the edge.
    3. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells 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 Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
  4. Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Barbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Hold a barbell with both hands and your palms facing down; 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 down. Tip: Make sure that the back 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
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing up.
    2. Rest your forearms on your thighs, allowing your wrists to hang off the edge.
    3. Slowly curl your wrists upward, squeezing your forearms at the top of the movement.
    4. Pause for a moment, then 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 Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Forearms
    • Dumbbell
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in one hand, palm facing up.
    2. Rest your forearm on your thigh, allowing your wrist to hang off the edge.
    3. Keeping your forearm stationary, curl your wrist upward as far as possible.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your wrist back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other hand.

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

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl

Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl FAQ

What muscles does Seated One-arm Dumbbell Palms-up Wrist Curl work?

The exercise primarily targets wrist flexors: flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, and palmaris longus, with secondary activation of finger flexors. Cue: keep the forearm supported and elbow stationary to isolate wrist flexion and avoid recruiting biceps or shoulder muscles.

Find Alternatives for Any Exercise

Search the exercise database and filter the ranked substitutes by the equipment you own.

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