10 Best Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl Alternatives for Home Gyms
The Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl is done seated with a barbell. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Seated Palm-up Barbell Wrist Curl, the Dumbbell Over Bench Neutral Wrist Curl and the Dumbbell Over Bench Wrist Curl.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle
- Forearms
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Type
- Isolation
How to perform Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Hold a barbell with both hands and your palms facing down; hands spaced about shoulder width.
- Place your feet flat on the floor, at a distance that is slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
- 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.
- Lower the bar as far as possible while inhaling and keeping a tight grip.
- 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.
Ranked Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Seated Palms-down 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.
Best match 
1. Seated Palm-up Barbell Wrist Curl
96% match- Forearms
- Barbell
- Beginner
- Isolation
It uses the same equipment and still works the forearms.
How to perform this exercise
- Hold a barbell with both hands and your palms facing up; hands spaced about shoulder width.
- Place your feet flat on the floor, at a distance that is slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
- 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.
- Lower the bar as far as possible while inhaling and keeping a tight grip.
- 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 Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- 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
- Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing up.
- Rest your forearms on the bench, allowing your wrists to hang off the edge.
- Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
- 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 Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
3. Dumbbell Over Bench Wrist Curl
86% match- Forearms
- Dumbbell
- Beginner
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your forearms resting on the bench and your palms facing up, holding a dumbbell in each hand.
- Allow your wrists to hang over the edge of the bench.
- Slowly curl your wrists upward, squeezing your forearms at the top of the movement.
- Pause for a moment, then slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position.
- 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 Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Forearms
- Cable
- Beginner
- Isolation
A good swap when you have a cable machine to work with, and it still works the forearms.
How to perform this exercise
- Put a bench in front of a low pulley machine that has a barbell or EZ Curl attachment on it.
- Move the bench far enough away so that when you bring the handle to the top of your thighs tension is created on the cable due to the weight stack being moved up.
- Now hold the handle with both hands, palms up, using a shoulder-width grip.
- Step back and sit on the bench with your feet about shoulder width apart, firmly on the floor.
- Lean forward and place the forearms on your thighs with the back of your wrists over your knees. This will be your starting position.
- Lower the bar as far as possible, while inhaling and keeping a tight grip.
- Now curl the bar up as high as possible while contracting the forearms. Tip: Only the wrist should move; not the forearms.
- After a second contraction at the top go back to the starting position as you inhale.
- 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 Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: a cable, not free weights
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Forearms
- Barbell
- Beginner
- Isolation
It still works the forearms, through a different movement.
How to perform this exercise
- Start out by placing a barbell on one side of a flat bench.
- Kneel down on both of your knees so that your body is facing the flat bench.
- 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.
- Start out by curling your wrist upwards and exhaling.
- Slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position while inhaling.
- Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
6. Cable Reverse Wrist Curl
85% match- Forearms
- Cable
- Beginner
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Attach a cable to a low pulley and sit on a bench facing the cable machine.
- Grasp the cable handle with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
- Rest your forearms on your thighs, with your wrists hanging off the edge.
- Keeping your forearms stationary, exhale and curl your wrists upward as far as possible.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position.
- 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 Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: a cable, not free weights
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Forearms
- Dumbbell
- Beginner
- Isolation
Pick this when you want to work the forearms one side at a time.
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a flat bench with a dumbbell in your right hand.
- Place your feet flat on the floor, at a distance that is slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
- Lean forward and place your right forearm on top of your upper right thigh with your palm down. Tip: Make sure that the back of the wrist lies on top of your knees. This will be your starting position.
- Lower the dumbbell as far as possible as you keep a tight grip on the dumbbell. Inhale as you perform this movement.
- 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.
- Perform for the recommended amount of repetitions, switch arms and repeat the movement.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.
Why this matches
- Movement: curl, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Forearms
- Barbell
- Beginner
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Start by standing straight and holding a barbell behind your glutes at arm's length while using a pronated grip (palms will be facing back away from the glutes) and having your hands shoulder width apart from each other.
- You should be looking straight forward while your feet are shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position.
- While exhaling, slowly elevate the barbell up by curling your wrist in a semi-circular motion towards the ceiling. Note: Your wrist should be the only body part moving for this exercise.
- Hold the contraction for a second and lower the barbell back down to the starting position while inhaling.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
- When finished, lower the barbell down to the squat rack or the floor by bending the knees. Tip: It is easiest to either pick it up from a squat rack or have a partner hand it to you.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.
Why this matches
- Movement: curl, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Body position: standing, not seated
- Forearms
- Dumbbell
- Beginner
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing up.
- Rest your forearms on your thighs, allowing your wrists to hang off the edge.
- Slowly curl your wrists upward, squeezing your forearms at the top of the movement.
- Pause for a moment, then lower your wrists back down to the starting position.
- 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 Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: free weights, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
10. Cable Wrist Curl
81% match- Forearms
- Cable
- Beginner
- Isolation
How to perform this exercise
- Attach a straight bar to a low pulley cable machine.
- Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Grasp the bar with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and your hands shoulder-width apart.
- Rest your forearms on a bench or pad, with your wrists hanging off the edge.
- Keeping your forearms stationary, exhale and curl your wrists upward as far as possible.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the bar back to the starting position.
- 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 Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Primary muscle: forearms, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
- Equipment: a cable, not free weights
- Body position: seated, the same as the Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl
Why You Might Need a Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl Alternative
You may substitute the seated palms-down barbell wrist curl for several reasons: lack of a barbell, wrist pain under compression, limited bench setups, or the need for unilateral correction. Wrist extension mechanics load the extensor carpi radialis longus/brevis and extensor carpi ulnaris; changing implements alters moment arms and tension curves. For example, cables provide constant tension through the range, while dumbbells allow unilateral loading to fix side-to-side strength gaps. If you feel dorsal wrist irritation, pick an isometric or neutral-grip option and stop at the point of pain. Cue: keep the forearm braced on a thigh or bench and move only the wrist to preserve isolation and reduce elbow involvement.
Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl FAQ
What muscles does Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl work?
It primarily targets the wrist extensors, including extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis and extensor carpi ulnaris, with assist from finger extensors and brachioradialis. The movement isolates wrist dorsiflexion, so you load the posterior forearm compartment rather than elbow flexors.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to Seated Palms-down Barbell Wrist Curl?
Use an isometric wall-based wrist extension: stand facing a wall, place the backs of your fingers and hands flat against it, and press to activate the wrist extensors while keeping the elbow extended. Hold 10–30 seconds for sets to build endurance and motor control when no load is available.
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