Cable preacher curl

Also called cable Scott curl.

What is Cable preacher curl?

The cable preacher curl bends the elbows with the upper arms supported on a preacher pad and an underhand bar attached to a low pulley. It trains the elbow flexors from a supported position.

Two anatomical views of a man seated at a preacher bench, curling a cable bar with palms up and upper arms resting on the pad; front upper arms are shaded red.

How to do Cable preacher curl

Set up

Place a preacher bench facing a low pulley and attach a curl bar.
Sit with both upper arms resting on the pad, hold the bar palms up and keep your feet planted.

Execution

Curl the bar toward you while your upper arms stay on the pad.
Stop before you need to lift your elbows or shoulders off the support.
Lower slowly toward a comfortably straight arm position without snapping the elbows into lockout.

Common mistakes

Lifting the upper arms from the pad
That removes the fixed-arm setup that defines the exercise and changes the top of the rep.
Dropping quickly into the bottom
The supported position gives little room to absorb a sudden load. Control the descent rather than letting the bar pull the elbows straight.

Where it fits in a session

Usually after compound pulling or alongside other arm isolation work.

Use a load you can lower smoothly while the upper arms remain in contact with the pad.

Muscles worked

Front

Back

Primary

Secondary

Schematic surface view. Some muscles are partly visible or not shown.

Variations

Barbell biceps curlRemoves the pad and lets the upper arms hang beside the torso.
Dumbbell preacher curlUses one or two dumbbells so each hand can choose its own path.

Frequently asked questions

Should you fully straighten your arms on cable preacher curls?

Lower toward straight arms under control, but stop short if the fully extended position is uncomfortable. Do not drop into the bottom or force a painful range.

Is an EZ bar or straight bar better for cable preacher curls?

Either can be used. The EZ bar provides angled grip positions, while a straight bar fixes both hands in full supination. Choose the one that lets your wrists stay comfortable and consistent.

Sources

Betts JG et al. Anatomy and Physiology 2e, 11.5 Muscles of the pectoral girdle and upper limbs. OpenStax, 2022. https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/11-5-muscles-of-the-pectoral-girdle-and-upper-limbs