Preacher Curl: how to do it and muscles worked
The preacher curl mainly works your biceps. You need an EZ bar.
Muscles worked
Main
How to do the preacher curl
- 1
Sit at a preacher bench and adjust the seat so your armpits rest on top of the pad. Hold an EZ bar with an underhand grip, with your upper arms resting flat on the pad.
- 2
Curl the bar up toward your shoulders by bending your elbows. Squeeze your biceps at the top without lifting your arms off the pad.
- 3
Lower slowly until your arms are nearly straight, without locking out hard at the bottom. Breathe out as you curl and in as you lower.
Form tip: Stop just short of fully straightening your elbows to protect the biceps tendon, and do not lift your butt off the seat.
Common questions
- Which muscles does the preacher curl work?
- The preacher curl mainly works your biceps.
- What equipment do I need for the preacher curl?
- You need an EZ bar.
- How many sets and reps should I do?
- A common starting point is 2 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 controlled reps, with a weight that leaves a couple of reps in reserve. Adjust it to your goal and experience, and stop if something hurts.
- How do I track the preacher curl in SweatByte?
- Add it to a routine or a workout. Log the weight and reps for each set. SweatByte shows your last session's numbers on every set, so you know what to beat.
More biceps exercises
General information, not medical advice. Learn the movement with light weight first, and see a doctor or physiotherapist if you have an injury or pain. More guides in Learn.