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Exercise Guide

How to do barbell wide grip curl

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

By gripping the barbell wider than shoulder-width, you shift the focus of the curl toward the short (inner) head of the biceps. This variation helps add width to the upper arms and improves the overall shape of the muscle. It is a classic mass-builder that requires controlled movement to maximize tension on the biceps while minimizing the use of momentum or shoulder involvement.

Stats

TIER
2
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Barbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Biceps

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Stance: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart for stability.
  2. Grip: Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, placing your hands significantly wider than shoulder-width.
  3. Upright Posture: Stand tall with chest lifted, shoulders back, and core engaged.

The Lift

  1. Initiate the Curl: Keeping your elbows close to your sides, curl the barbell upwards towards your chest.
  2. Squeeze at the Top: Squeeze your biceps forcefully at the peak of the movement.
  3. Controlled Descent: Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position, maintaining tension in your biceps.
  4. Reset: Breathe and prepare for the next repetition.

Tips:

  • Lock your elbows: Keep your elbows stationary by your sides to target the biceps efficiently.
  • Full range of motion: Focus on controlling the weight through a full curl and stretch.
  • Mind-muscle connection: Concentrate on squeezing your biceps throughout the movement.

Common mistakes: Using a grip that is too wide which causes wrist discomfort and using momentum to swing the bar up.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell seated curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell standing curl

Biceps
Cable

cable curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl Machine

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Preacher Curl

ez-barbell close grip preacher curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell concentration curl

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Cable

cable one arm curl

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Crossover Cable

cable overhead curl

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Dumbbell

dumbbell prone incline curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell incline biceps curl

Biceps
Cable

cable biceps curl (sz bar)

Biceps
Ez Barbell

ez-barbell standing preacher curl

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Cable

cable hammer curl(rope)

Biceps
Barbell

barbell wide grip curl

Biceps
Bench

ez-barbell seated curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell reverse curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated alternate biceps curl

Biceps
Bench

ez-barbell spider curl

Biceps
Cable

cable reverse curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl

dumbbell zottman preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell reverse grip biceps curl

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None

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Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell alternate biceps curl

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Resistance Band

band alternating bicep curl

Biceps
Barbell

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Biceps
Bench

dumbbell incline hammer curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl

dumbbell preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell bicep curl

Biceps
Resistance Band

band standing hammer curl

Biceps