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Cable Overhead Curl on Exercise Ball
A high-pulley biceps curl performed seated on a stability ball with the arms held out at shoulder height, hitting the biceps in a shortened, peak-contraction position while the ball adds a trunk stability demand.
ArmsCableElbow flexion
GoLightWeight mediacable-overhead-curl-on-exercise-ball
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Biceps brachii
Secondary
BrachialisCoreAnterior deltoids
Equipment
Cable
Pattern
Elbow flexion
Setup
- 01Set a pulley to about shoulder height or higher and attach a D-handle or use two handles on a dual stack.
- 02Sit tall on a stability ball facing the stack with feet planted wide.
- 03Raise the arm out toward the pulley at shoulder height with the palm up.
- 04Brace the trunk so the ball stays still before the first rep.
Execution
- 01Curl the handle toward the head while the upper arm stays parallel to the floor.
- 02Squeeze the biceps hard when the hand nears the ear.
- 03Extend the arm slowly back toward the pulley without dropping the elbow.
- 04Keep the ball motionless; repeat, then switch sides if working one arm.
Checkpoints
- -Upper arm stays elevated at shoulder height for every rep.
- -Hips and ball stay still; no rocking to assist.
- -Peak contraction is held briefly on each rep.
- -Posture stays tall with the core braced on the ball.
Common mistakes
- -Letting the elbow sag as the set progresses.
- -Rolling the ball backward to cheat the curl.
- -Using momentum instead of a strict squeeze.
- -Loading so heavy the shoulder takes over.
Programming notes
- -Use 2 to 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps; this is a light peak-contraction movement, not a loader.
- -Best placed last in an arm session as a pump finisher.
- -Swap the ball for a bench if trunk instability limits the biceps work.
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