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WhatWorksWhat.
  • Forearms

Also involves this muscle

Lifts that pull this muscle in as a supporter.

Low1/10

Biceps

Hammer Curl

A thick squeeze in the middle of the upper arm and a strong pull through the top of the forearm.

Underneath bicepsForearm peak
3v
Low1/10

Traps

Barbell Shrug

Upper traps cramping by rep 10.

Upper traps
2v
Low1/10

Traps

Dumbbell Shrug

Big trap pump; easier to feel than barbell because the load doesn't pull forward.

Upper traps
2v
Low2/10

Biceps

Barbell Curl

A stretching pull on the front of the upper arm in the bottom third, then a hard squeeze at the top.

Outer bicepsInner biceps
4v
Low2/10

Biceps

Dumbbell Curl

Tension shifts from outer bicep at the bottom to a peak squeeze on the inner bicep at the top.

Outer bicepsInner biceps
3v
Low2/10

Biceps

Spider Curl

Hard peak contraction at the top, no help from the shoulders or back.

Inner biceps
2v
Low2/10

Biceps

Cable Curl

Tension that never lets up - bottom, middle, and top all loaded.

Outer bicepsInner biceps
3v
Low2/10

Biceps

EZ-bar Curl

Same as a barbell curl, with happier wrists.

Outer bicepsInner biceps
2v
Low2/10

Traps

Farmer's Carry

Traps, forearms, abs, even glutes all working at once.

Upper traps
3v
Low2/10

Obliques

Suitcase Carry

Off-side obliques burning by step 20.

Obliques
2v
Low3/10

Biceps

Incline Dumbbell Curl

A long, almost uncomfortable stretch on the outer bicep at the bottom.

Outer biceps
2v
Low3/10

Traps

Snatch-grip Shrug

Trap pump from the base of the neck out to the rear delts.

Upper trapsMiddle traps
1v
Medium4/10

Glutes

Kettlebell Swing

Glute and hamstring slam at the top of every rep; lungs cooked by rep 20.

Glute max
3v
Medium5/10

Traps

Rack Pull

Insane trap and upper-back loading you can't get any other way.

Upper trapsMiddle traps
2v
High9/10

Hamstrings

Conventional Deadlift

Whole-body brace. Hamstrings, glutes, and back all firing at once.

Outer hamstringInner hamstring
3v