Cable Preacher Curl
The cable preacher curl bends the elbows with the upper arms supported and resistance from a low cable whose direction depends on bench placement.
BICEPS · PULL
How it is executed
- Place a preacher bench in front of a low-pulley cable tower and attach a straight or EZ bar.
- Sit with your upper arms on the pad, grip the bar with an underhand grip, and curl up to your shoulders.
- Pause at the top, then lower slowly until the arms are nearly straight, keeping tension.
- The cable provides constant resistance through the full range.
Common mistakes
- Lifting the upper arms from the pad: keep contact.
- Dropping the load at the bottom: slow the extension.
- Placing the bench over the cable: clear its full path.
Frequently asked questions
- Is muscle tension constant?
- Not necessarily. The cable keeps pulling, but the torque at the elbow changes with the angle between cable and forearm.
- How should you position the bench?
- Face the bench toward the low pulley and check that the cable neither rubs the pad nor goes slack at the bottom.
- How far should you straighten the elbows?
- As far as you can control comfortably, without letting the load jerk the arm at the bottom.
Sources and editorial approach
The explanation, variations and FAQs are Kaizer’s editorial synthesis. ACSM’s 2026 guidance provides general context on progression and resistance training in healthy adults; it does not independently validate the technique of each variation.
No individual professional review is recorded for this page.
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