Cable Preacher Curl
- Secondary muscles
- Forearms
- Body part
- Upper Arms
- Position
- Standing
- Laterality
- Bilateral (both sides together)
- Category
- Strength
Track this exercise in SetGrip — no account needed
Feeding a cable under the preacher pad changes where the rep is hard: free weights load the bottom stretch on this bench, while the pulley keeps pulling even as your forearm turns vertical near the top. The setup takes more arranging than a barbell, but the tension curve is noticeably more even.
How to do the Cable Preacher Curl
- Adjust the cable machine so that the preacher curl pad is at chest height.
- Sit on the preacher curl bench and place your upper arms on the pad, gripping the cable attachment with an underhand grip.
- Keep your back straight and your elbows tucked in at your sides.
- Slowly curl the cable attachment up towards your shoulders, squeezing your biceps at the top of the movement.
- Pause for a moment, then slowly lower the cable attachment 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 | 60–90 s |
| Endurance / finisher | 2–3 × 15–20 | 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 Cable Preacher Curl work?
The Cable Preacher Curl primarily works the biceps. It also involves the forearms, which assist the movement and stabilise the joints.
Is the Cable Preacher Curl good for beginners?
Yes. The Cable Preacher 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 Cable Preacher Curl?
If you cannot do the Cable Preacher Curl, try the Leg Resisted Biceps Curl, the Side Lying Bodyweight Biceps Curl or the Barbell Preacher 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 Cable Preacher Curl, a sensible starting point is muscle growth: 3–4 × 10–15 with 60–90 s rest; endurance / finisher: 2–3 × 15–20 with 45 s rest. Do it after your compound lifts. It is a finishing movement, not the main event.
Track the Cable Preacher Curl in SetGrip
All 1,100+ exercises with animations are in the app. No account, no sign-up — your data stays on your iPhone. Works with Apple Watch.
More exercises
Exercise data and animations are licensed ExerciseDB content used in SetGrip. This page is for general information and is not medical or coaching advice.