Single Arm Cable Curl
In SetGrip: Cable Curl (Single Arm)
- Secondary muscles
- Forearms
- Body part
- Upper Arms
- Position
- Standing
- Laterality
- Unilateral (one arm at a time)
- Category
- Strength
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A single handle on the low pulley gives one arm the cable's defining advantage, tension that never drops out at the bottom, plus freedom to rotate the wrist naturally through the curl, which a bar rules out. Stand a step back from the stack so the cable still loads your arm at full extension.
How to do the Single Arm Cable Curl
- Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Grasp the cable handle with an underhand grip, palm facing up.
- Keep your elbow close to your side and slowly curl your forearm up towards your shoulder.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your forearm back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Tip: Lower for three seconds and stop just short of locking out the elbow to keep the muscle under tension.
Muscles worked
Common mistakes
- Elbows drifting forward — as the elbows come up the front delt starts to lift the weight; pin the elbows to your sides and let only the forearm move.
- Swinging from the hips — a small rock backward on each rep means the weight is too heavy; drop it and curl from a dead stop.
- Cutting the bottom short — stopping with the elbow bent shortens the range where the biceps are stretched; lower until the arm is nearly straight.
- Wrists curling at the top — flexing the wrist toward you brings the forearm flexors in; keep the wrist neutral or slightly extended.
Sets, reps and where it fits
| Goal | Sets × reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle growth | 3–4 × 10–15 per side | 60–90 s |
| Endurance / finisher | 2–3 × 15–20 per side | 45 s |
| Strength | Not ideal — pick a compound lift for the same muscle | — |
Curls go at the end of a pull session or arm day, after the rows and pulldowns that also load the biceps. Superset them with triceps pushdowns on the same cable stack or triceps extensions with the same dumbbells.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
Without cable
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Single Arm Cable Curl work?
The Single Arm Cable Curl primarily works the biceps. It also involves the forearms, which assist the movement and stabilise the joints.
Is the Single Arm Cable Curl good for beginners?
Yes. The Single Arm Cable Curl is rated beginner: it uses a cable and the movement is simple to learn. Start light, focus on the full range of motion and add load once every rep looks the same.
What can I do instead of the Single Arm Cable Curl?
If you cannot do the Single Arm Cable Curl, try the Leg Resisted Biceps Curl, the Side Lying Bodyweight Biceps Curl or the Single Arm Dumbbell Curl. Each of them trains the biceps through a similar movement, so you can swap them in without changing the rest of the workout.
How many sets and reps should I do?
It depends on your goal. For the Single Arm Cable Curl, a sensible starting point is muscle growth: 3–4 × 10–15 per side with 60–90 s rest; endurance / finisher: 2–3 × 15–20 per side with 45 s rest. Do it after your compound lifts. It is a finishing movement, not the main event.
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Exercise data and animations are licensed ExerciseDB content used in SetGrip. This page is for general information and is not medical or coaching advice.