Exercise guide
Band Incline Biceps Curl
- Intermediate
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
This variation emphasizes the long head of the biceps by placing the arms in a pre-stretched position behind the torso, while the resistance band provides increasing tension throughout the range of motion.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Set an incline bench to a 45-degree angle.
- Secure a resistance band to a low anchor point behind the bench or loop it firmly under the rear legs of the bench.
- Sit on the bench with your back and head firmly against the pad, grasping the handles with an underhand grip.
- Allow your arms to hang straight down toward the floor, ensuring they are positioned slightly behind your torso.
How to do it
- Exhale and curl the handles toward your shoulders while keeping your elbows pinned in a fixed position behind your midline.
- Squeeze your biceps forcefully at the top of the movement where the band tension is highest.
- Inhale and slowly lower the handles back to the starting position, resisting the band's pull to maintain control.
- Perform the movement with a controlled tempo, taking 2 seconds to curl up and 2 seconds to lower.
Form checklist
- Keep your elbows stationary and behind your torso throughout the entire set.
- Maintain full contact between your back and the bench to prevent using momentum.
- Ensure a full range of motion by completely straightening your arms at the bottom.
- Keep your wrists straight and avoid curling them toward your forearms.
Pro tips
- Focus on the deep stretch at the bottom of the rep to maximize recruitment of the long head of the biceps.
- Supinate your wrists by trying to turn your pinkies toward your shoulders at the top of the movement for a better peak contraction.
Make it harder
- Incorporate a 3-second pause at the top of each rep to challenge the muscle at peak tension.
- Increase the distance between the bench and the anchor point to heighten the resistance at the start of the movement.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the band incline biceps curl work?
- The band incline biceps curl primarily targets the biceps, and also works the forearms as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the band incline biceps curl?
- The band incline biceps curl uses resistance band.
- Is the band incline biceps curl good for beginners?
- The band incline biceps curl is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.