Barbell Curl - Drag

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 6-10 Reps, 80 Wght

Intermediate Biceps Forearms Shoulders Strength Barbell Pull Compound Gym

Purpose: This exercise is used to target the biceps muscle to develop size, definition, strength, endurance and power.

Benefits: This exercise works both heads of the biceps with a heavier weight than can typically be done with dumbbells. This exercise will go a long way toward eliminating anterior deltoid involvement as you curl, helping you isolate the working muscle in a way that the standard barbell may not.

Stand upright, with your knees slightly bent and your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a barbell, with the palms of the hands supinated (palms up) about shoulder-width apart, and let it hang front of you. Your elbows should be close to your body and as far behind your body as you can. This is your starting position. While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the barbell upward, keeping it close to your body, while contracting the biceps and keeping your elbows to the back. Exhale during this movement. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the barbell is at shoulder level. Slowly bring the barbell back to the starting position, keeping the barbell close to your body, and your elbows to the back. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions.


The biceps is a straight muscle with two heads. The long head of the biceps crosses both the elbow and the shoulder joint. It bends the elbow and raises the arm forward at the shoulder. The short head crosses the elbow joint and, in conjunction with the brachioradialis, supinates the hand.

Step 1

Stand upright with your back straight and your knees slightly bent, holding a barbell.

barbell-curl-drag-step-0

Stand upright, with your knees slightly bent and your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a barbell, with the palms of the hands supinated (palms up) about shoulder-width apart, and let it hang front of you. Your elbows should be close to your body and as far behind your body as you can. This is your starting position.

Step 2

Drag the barbell up, keeping your elbows to the back.

barbell-curl-drag-step-1

While holding the upper arm stationary, curl the barbell upward, keeping it close to your body, while contracting the biceps and keeping your elbows to the back. Exhale during this movement. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the barbell is at shoulder level.

Step 3

Slowly lower the barbell to the starting position.

barbell-curl-drag-step-2

Slowly bring the barbell back to the starting position, keeping the barbell close to your body, and your elbows to the back. Inhale during this movement.