How to Do Cable Wrist Curl
Start and end of one clean rep of Cable Wrist Curl.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Forearms |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Cable |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Cable Wrist Curl
- Start out by placing a flat bench in front of a low pulley cable that has a straight bar attachment.
- Use your arms to grab the cable bar with a narrow to shoulder width supinated grip (palms up) and bring them up so that your forearms are resting against the top of your thighs. Your wrists should be hanging just beyond your knees.
- Start out by curling your wrist upwards and exhaling. Keep the contraction for a second.
- Slowly lower your wrists back down to the starting position while inhaling.
- Your forearms should be stationary as your wrist is the only movement needed to perform this exercise.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Forearms (primary): controls your grip and keeps the wrist steady under load.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Move slowly and let the wrist travel through its full range instead of bouncing at the ends.
- Keep tension on the cable through the whole range — pause before the stack touches down instead of letting it crash.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
Common mistakes
- Loading so heavy the wrist collapses instead of moving through a clean range.
- Letting the stack yank the working muscle back at the end of each rep.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Cable Wrist Curl work?
Cable Wrist Curl is a focused movement that primarily works the forearms.
What equipment do I need for Cable Wrist Curl?
Cable Wrist Curl needs a cable station with the right handle attachment.
How many sets and reps should I do for Cable Wrist Curl?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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