How to Do Lying High Bench Barbell Curl
Start and end of one clean rep of Lying High Bench Barbell Curl.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Biceps |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Lying High Bench Barbell Curl
- Lie face forward on a tall flat bench while holding a barbell with a supinated grip (palms facing up). Tip: If you are holding a barbell grab it using a shoulder-width grip and if you are using an E-Z Bar grab it on the inner handles. Your upper body should be positioned in a way that the upper chest is over the end of the bench and the barbell is hanging in front of you with the arms extended and perpendicular to the floor. This will be your starting position.
- While keeping the elbows in and the upper arms stationary, curl the weight up in a semi-circular motion as you contract the biceps and exhale. Hold at the top of the movement for a second.
- As you inhale, slowly go back to the starting position. Tip: Maintain full control of the weight at all times and avoid any swinging. Remember, only the forearms should move throughout the movement.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Biceps (primary): bends the elbow and turns the palm up during pulls and curls.
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.
- Keep the bar path close and stacked over your mid-foot; letting it drift forward wastes force and loads the lower back.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Control the lowering phase — a 2–3 second descent builds more than dropping the weight.
Common mistakes
- Swinging the torso to fling the weight up instead of actually curling it.
- Loading the bar heavier than your form allows and turning strict reps into a whole-body heave.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Lying High Bench Barbell Curl work?
Lying High Bench Barbell Curl is a focused movement that primarily works the biceps.
What equipment do I need for Lying High Bench Barbell Curl?
Lying High Bench Barbell Curl needs a barbell and plates (plus a rack or bench where the movement calls for one).
How many sets and reps should I do for Lying High Bench Barbell 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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