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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

  1. 01Set a pulley to about shoulder height or higher and attach a D-handle or use two handles on a dual stack.
  2. 02Sit tall on a stability ball facing the stack with feet planted wide.
  3. 03Raise the arm out toward the pulley at shoulder height with the palm up.
  4. 04Brace the trunk so the ball stays still before the first rep.

Execution

  1. 01Curl the handle toward the head while the upper arm stays parallel to the floor.
  2. 02Squeeze the biceps hard when the hand nears the ear.
  3. 03Extend the arm slowly back toward the pulley without dropping the elbow.
  4. 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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