Exercise guide
Kettlebell Incline Inner Biceps Curl
- Intermediate
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
This isolation exercise targets the short head (inner) of the biceps by placing the arms in a stretched position behind the torso. The offset center of gravity of the kettlebell creates unique tension at the peak contraction compared to traditional dumbbells.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Set an incline bench to an angle between 45 and 60 degrees.
- Sit on the bench with your back and head firmly against the pad and your feet flat on the floor for stability.
- Hold a kettlebell in each hand with a supinated (palms up) grip, allowing your arms to hang straight down toward the floor.
- Rotate your shoulders slightly outward so your elbows are tucked close to your torso and your palms face slightly away from your midline.
How to do it
- Exhale and curl the kettlebells toward your shoulders while keeping your upper arms stationary and elbows pinned back.
- Contract your biceps forcefully at the top of the movement, ensuring the kettlebell handle stays parallel to the floor.
- Inhale and slowly lower the weights back to the starting position using a controlled 3-second eccentric phase.
- Fully extend your arms at the bottom to maximize the stretch on the inner bicep before starting the next rep.
Form checklist
- Keep your elbows locked in place; do not let them swing forward during the curl.
- Maintain a neutral wrist position to prevent the kettlebell from flopping or straining the joint.
- Keep your shoulder blades retracted and pressed into the bench throughout the set.
- Avoid arching your lower back or lifting your glutes off the seat to gain momentum.
Pro tips
- Focus on driving your pinky fingers toward your shoulders at the top of the movement to maximize the 'inner' bicep peak contraction.
- Allow the kettlebell to hang slightly off the back of your palm to increase the mechanical tension on the bicep throughout the full range of motion.
Make it harder
- Incorporate a 2-second isometric hold at the top of each repetition to increase time under tension.
- Perform the exercise unilaterally (one arm at a time) to challenge your core stability and prevent any side-to-side swaying.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the kettlebell incline inner biceps curl work?
- The kettlebell incline inner biceps curl primarily targets the biceps, and also works the forearms as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the kettlebell incline inner biceps curl?
- The kettlebell incline inner biceps curl uses kettlebell.
- Is the kettlebell incline inner biceps curl good for beginners?
- The kettlebell incline inner biceps curl is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.