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Dumbbell Seated Neutral Wrist Curl

A seated forearm exercise using a hammer grip and radial wrist motion to target the brachioradialis and wrist stabilizers along the thumb side of the forearm.

ArmsDumbbellWrist flexion
GoLightWeight mediadumbbell-seated-neutral-wrist-curl

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

BrachioradialisWrist flexors

Secondary

Wrist extensorsForearms

Equipment

Dumbbell

Pattern

Wrist flexion

Setup

  1. 01Sit on a bench holding a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral, thumbs-up grip.
  2. 02Rest the forearms along your thighs with the wrists and dumbbells just past the knees.
  3. 03Let the dumbbells tilt down toward the floor to start.
  4. 04Keep the forearms pressed into the thighs so only the wrists move.

Execution

  1. 01Raise the thumb-side of the dumbbell up by cocking the wrists toward you.
  2. 02Move through the wrist only, keeping the forearms glued to the thighs.
  3. 03Pause briefly at the top of the small range.
  4. 04Lower slowly until the dumbbell tilts back down toward the floor.

Checkpoints

  • -Forearms never lift off the thighs.
  • -The dumbbell moves in a short, controlled arc at the wrist.
  • -Grip stays neutral with no rotation.
  • -Reps are smooth with no bouncing at either end.

Common mistakes

  • -Curling with the elbow instead of the wrist.
  • -Using a range so small no work is done.
  • -Going too heavy and letting the dumbbell drop on the lowering.
  • -Rotating the wrist into pronation or supination mid-set.

Programming notes

  • -Use 2 to 4 sets of 12 to 20 reps; forearm muscles respond well to higher reps.
  • -Train after main arm work, since fatigued grip compromises curls and rows.
  • -Alternate with palms-up and reverse wrist curls to cover all forearm angles.

Related exercises

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