How to Do Reverse Plate Curls
Start and end of one clean rep of Reverse Plate Curls.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Biceps |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Forearms |
| Equipment | Machine |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Reverse Plate Curls
- Start by standing straight with a weighted plate held by both hands and arms fully extended. Use a pronated grip (palms facing down) and make sure your fingers grab the rough side of the plate while your thumb grabs the smooth side. Note: For the best results, grab the weighted plate at an 11:00 and 1:00 o'clock position.
- Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other and the weighted plate should be near the groin area. This is the starting position.
- Slowly lift the plate up while keeping the elbows in and the upper arms stationary until your biceps and forearms touch while exhaling. The plate should be evenly aligned with your torso at this point.
- Feel the contraction for a second and begin to lower the weight back down to the starting position while inhaling
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
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.
- Set the seat and pads so the machine's pivot lines up with the joint you're training before your first rep.
- 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.
- Leaving the seat or range on a setting that forces the joint into an awkward angle.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Reverse Plate Curls work?
Reverse Plate Curls mainly works the biceps, with the forearms helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Reverse Plate Curls?
Reverse Plate Curls needs the corresponding weight-stack or plate-loaded machine.
How many sets and reps should I do for Reverse Plate Curls?
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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