TETSU

Biceps Leg Concentration Curl vs Cable Reverse Curl

The Biceps Leg Concentration Curl and the Cable Reverse Curl both train the biceps as their primary muscle. The Biceps Leg Concentration Curl is bodyweight-only while the Cable Reverse Curl uses a cable. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.

Head to head

Side-by-side comparison

Biceps Leg Concentration CurlCable Reverse Curl
Primary musclebicepsbiceps
Body partupper armsupper arms
Supporting musclesforearmsforearms
Equipmentbodyweightcable
Steps in our guide58
Setup

How each one starts

Biceps Leg Concentration Curl — first steps

  1. Sit on a bench with your legs spread apart and your feet flat on the ground.
  2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand and place your elbow on the inside of your thigh, just above the knee.

Cable Reverse Curl — first steps

  1. Attach a straight bar to a low pulley cable machine.
  2. Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.

Full step-by-step guides are linked below.

Decision

Which should you choose?

The Biceps Leg Concentration Curl needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. The Cable Reverse Curl keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the biceps adapting.

Guides

Full form guides

Answers

Common questions

Is the Biceps Leg Concentration Curl better than the Cable Reverse Curl?

Neither is universally better — both train the biceps as the primary mover. The Biceps Leg Concentration Curl needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Cable Reverse Curl keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.

Can I do both the Biceps Leg Concentration Curl and the Cable Reverse Curl in the same program?

Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the biceps. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.

Do the Biceps Leg Concentration Curl and the Cable Reverse Curl work the same muscles?

Yes — the primary muscle is the same (biceps) and both rely on the same supporting muscles: forearms.

Track it in Tetsu

Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.