Exercise guide
Cable Incline Inner Biceps Curl
- Intermediate
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
This exercise targets the short head (inner) of the biceps by placing the arms behind the torso on an incline, providing a deep stretch and constant cable tension. The incline angle increases the range of motion and emphasizes the peak contraction for better muscle shape and thickness.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Position an incline bench at a 45-to-60-degree angle, facing away from a low cable pulley system.
- Attach a straight bar or two D-handles to the low pulley.
- Sit on the bench with your back and head firmly against the pad and feet flat on the floor for stability.
- Grasp the handles with an underhand (supinated) grip, allowing your arms to hang straight down and slightly behind your torso.
How to do it
- Exhale and curl the weight upward toward your shoulders while keeping your upper arms stationary and elbows pinned back.
- At the top of the movement, squeeze your biceps hard, focusing on the inner portion of the muscle.
- Inhale and slowly lower the weight back to the starting position using a controlled 3-second eccentric tempo.
- Fully extend your arms at the bottom to feel a deep stretch in the biceps before starting the next repetition.
Form checklist
- Keep your elbows fixed in place; do not allow them to swing forward during the curl.
- Maintain a neutral wrist position to avoid overtaxing the forearms.
- Ensure your shoulder blades remain retracted and against the bench throughout the set.
- Avoid arching your lower back or lifting your hips off the bench to create momentum.
Pro tips
- Squeeze your triceps at the very bottom of the movement to ensure the biceps are fully lengthened and under maximum stretch.
- Focus on 'turning' your pinkies toward the ceiling at the top of the curl to further isolate the inner bicep fibers.
- Keep your head back against the pad to maintain cervical spine alignment and prevent neck strain.
Make it harder
- Incorporate a 2-second isometric hold at the peak of the contraction on every rep.
- Perform a '1.5 rep' style where you do a full rep followed by a half rep from the bottom to the midpoint.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the cable incline inner biceps curl work?
- The cable incline inner biceps curl primarily targets the biceps, and also works the forearms as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the cable incline inner biceps curl?
- The cable incline inner biceps curl uses cable.
- Is the cable incline inner biceps curl good for beginners?
- The cable incline inner biceps curl is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.