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Dumbbell Hammer Forearm Curl

Beginner
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A seated wrist curl variation using a neutral (hammer) grip, primarily targeting the forearm flexors and the brachioradialis for grip strength and hypertrophy.

About Exercise

Equipment

Dumbbells, Flat Bench

Difficulty

1/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Forearms

Popularity Score

4

Goals

Hypertrophy
Strength
Stability

Training Style

Bodybuilding

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

Yes

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Forearms

10/10

Flexors

Biceps

6/10

Brachialis

Programming

Typical Rep Range

10-20 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-90 seconds • Keep rest periods shorter for hypertrophy focus.

How to Perform

Kneel or sit in front of a flat bench. Rest your forearms flat on the bench, allowing the hands to hang over the edge while holding dumbbells with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).

  1. Slowly lower the dumbbells by flexing your wrists, allowing them to stretch fully downward.
  2. Maintain control as you pause briefly at the bottom of the stretch.
  3. Curl the dumbbells back up toward the ceiling by powerfully extending your wrists.
  4. Squeeze the forearms tightly at the peak contraction before beginning the next repetition.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Control the descent
  • Full stretch at bottom
  • Squeeze the forearms
  • Keep forearms stable

Breathing

Inhale as you lower the weight (eccentric phase) and exhale as you curl the weight up (concentric phase).

Tempo

2-0-1

Range of Motion

Lower the dumbbells until the wrists are fully flexed downward, achieving a deep stretch in the forearms.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Use light to moderate weight to protect the wrist joint.
  • Avoid hyperextending the wrist at the top of the movement.

Spotting

Not recommended; use a weight that allows complete control.

Common Mistakes

  • Using momentum to lift
  • Lifting the elbows or forearms off the bench
  • Rushing the eccentric phase

When to Avoid

  • Acute wrist pain or tendonitis
  • Severe carpal tunnel syndrome

Flexibility Needed

  • Full wrist flexion and extension range of motion

Build Up First

  • Basic grip strength

Also known as

Dumbbell Seated Neutral Wrist Curl, Wrist Hammers, Dumbbell Wrist Curl (Neutral Grip), Seated Neutral Grip Dumbbell Wrist Curl

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