Arms · Barbell
Barbell Finger Curls
How to do the barbell finger curls, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Barbell
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Flexion
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Sit holding a barbell with an underhand grip, forearms resting on your thighs and wrists hanging just past your knees, palms up. Let the bar roll down to your fingertips, then curl it back up by closing your fingers and flexing your wrists. Work through a full range to build grip and forearm strength.
- 1Feel your forearms and finger flexors work as the bar rolls up your hands
- 2Let the bar roll to your fingertips for a full stretch each rep
- 3Keep your forearms anchored on your thighs so only your hands move
Common mistakes
- Don't lift with your arms or shoulders; isolate the hands and wrists
- Avoid using a weight so heavy your grip fails early
- Don't rush; control the roll down and the curl up
Muscles worked
The barbell finger curls mainly works the forearms.
- ForearmsPrimary
- BicepsMinor
Kovo programs the barbell finger curls for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More forearms exercises
- How to do the wrist curl
- How to do the conans wheel
- How to do the farmers walk
- How to do the forearm extensor stretch
- How to do the forearm flexor stretch
- How to do the medicine ball hussafel carry
Last reviewed June 2026.