Exercise guide
Kneeling Wrist Sinkers
- Beginner
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
Kneeling Wrist Sinkers are a foundational mobility and strengthening exercise that targets the forearm flexors and improves wrist joint resilience. This movement uses controlled bodyweight to increase the range of motion and load-bearing capacity of the wrists.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Kneel on a soft surface with your hands placed flat on the floor, fingers pointing straight ahead.
- Position your shoulders directly over your wrists and your knees under your hips.
- Ensure your arms are fully extended with elbows locked.
How to do it
- Inhale and slowly lean your torso forward, shifting your shoulders past your fingertips while keeping your palms glued to the floor.
- Hold the end-range stretch for 1-2 seconds, feeling the tension in your forearms.
- Exhale and push through your palms to return to the starting vertical position.
- Perform the movement with a slow, rhythmic tempo, focusing on a deep stretch.
Form checklist
- Keep your elbows completely straight throughout the movement.
- Do not allow the heels of your hands to lift off the floor.
- Maintain a neutral spine and avoid shrugging your shoulders toward your ears.
- Only lean forward as far as your current mobility allows without sharp pain.
Pro tips
- Actively 'claw' the floor with your fingertips to engage the deep flexors of the forearm.
- Rotate your elbow pits forward (external rotation) to stabilize the shoulder and isolate the wrist.
Make it harder
- Walk your knees further back to increase the percentage of bodyweight loaded onto the wrists.
- Perform the sinkers from a full plank position to significantly increase the resistance.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the kneeling wrist sinkers work?
- The kneeling wrist sinkers primarily targets the forearms, and also works the abs, obliques, and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the kneeling wrist sinkers?
- The kneeling wrist sinkers requires no equipment — just your body weight.
- Is the kneeling wrist sinkers good for beginners?
- Yes. The kneeling wrist sinkers is a beginner-friendly movement and a strong foundation to build on.