How to Do Cross Body Hammer Curl
Start and end of one clean rep of Cross Body Hammer Curl.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Biceps |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Forearms |
| Equipment | Dumbbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Cross Body Hammer Curl
- Stand up straight with a dumbbell in each hand. Your hands should be down at your side with your palms facing in.
- While keeping your palms facing in and without twisting your arm, curl the dumbbell of the right arm up towards your left shoulder as you exhale. Touch the top of the dumbbell to your shoulder and hold the contraction for a second.
- Slowly lower the dumbbell along the same path as you inhale and then repeat the same movement for the left arm.
- Continue alternating in this fashion until the recommended amount of repetitions is performed for each arm.
Muscles worked
- Biceps (primary): bends the elbow and turns the palm up during pulls and curls.
- Forearms (secondary): 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
- Keep the upper arm still and pinned to your side so the movement happens only at the elbow.
- Each side works on its own, so match the depth and speed of both arms and don't let the stronger side take over.
- 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
- Swinging the torso to fling the weight up instead of actually curling it.
- Letting the dumbbells drift apart or clang together at the top instead of controlling the path.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Cross Body Hammer Curl work?
Cross Body Hammer Curl mainly works the biceps, with the forearms helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Cross Body Hammer Curl?
Cross Body Hammer Curl needs a pair of dumbbells.
How many sets and reps should I do for Cross Body Hammer 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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