Arms · Dumbbell
Dumbbell Reverse Curl
How to do the dumbbell reverse curl, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Curl
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Hold dumbbells with an overhand grip. Curl the weights up toward your shoulders, focusing on your forearms, then lower.
- 1Hold the dumbbells with an overhand grip and curl by bending your elbows so you feel your forearms and brachialis working
- 2Keep your wrists neutral and your elbows pinned to your sides
- 3Squeeze at the top and lower the weights slowly to feel the eccentric contraction
Common mistakes
- Don't swing the weights or lean back to get them up
- Avoid letting your wrists bend or your elbows drift forward
- Don't use your shoulders to initiate the curl; keep the movement in your arms
Muscles worked
The dumbbell reverse curl mainly works the biceps, with the forearms assisting.
- BicepsPrimary
- ForearmsSupport
- Front DeltsMinor
Dumbbell Reverse Curl strength standards
See how your dumbbell reverse curl ranks, from Bronze to Champion. These are the same standards the Kovo app uses to rank your lifts.
Bronzee1RM17.5 lb
Silvere1RM32.5 lb
Golde1RM57.5 lb
Platinume1RM82.5 lb
Diamonde1RM100 lb
Champione1RM112.5 lb
Find your rank
Enter your best set. We estimate your 1RM and match it to a tier.
Kovo tracks this rank automatically as you train, across every lift, and levels you up as you get stronger.
Kovo programs the dumbbell reverse curl 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 biceps exercises
- How to do the resistance band bicep curl
- How to do the resistance band hammer curl
- How to do the barbell bicep curl
- How to do the cable bicep curl
- How to do the cable hammer curl
- How to do the overhead bicep curl
Last reviewed April 2026.