Arms
The main muscle group listed for this exercise.
Exercise guide
Drag Curl
Drag Curl is an intermediate-level arm exercise performed with a barbell.
Barbell
The equipment listed for this variation.
Intermediate
The recorded setup and movement complexity.
Arms
No secondary muscle group is listed for this variation.
Strength
Movement pattern: elbow flexion. This is an isolation exercise.
Intermediate
This level reflects the setup and movement complexity recorded for this exercise.
Instructions
How to do Drag Curl
- Grab a barbell with a supinated grip (palms facing forward) and get your elbows close to your torso and back. This will be your starting position.
- As you exhale, curl the bar up while keeping the elbows to the back as you "Drag" the bar up by keeping it in contact with your torso. Tip: As you can see, you will not be keeping the elbows pinned to your sides, but instead you will be bringing them back. Also, do not lift your shoulders.
- Slowly go back to the starting position as you keep the bar in contact with the torso at all times.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Related workouts
Workout templates that use this exercise.
If you want to see this movement inside a more complete training session, start here.
3-Day Full Body Split
A three-day split that spreads total weekly work across three full-body sessions.
View workout4-Day Upper Lower Split
A simple four-day split that gives each half of the body two quality sessions each week.
View workout5-Day Bodybuilding Split
A traditional five-day bodybuilding split for lifters who enjoy focusing on one or two regions per session.
View workoutRelated exercises
More exercises in the same lane.
Use these when you want a similar movement pattern, a different setup, or more exercise options for the same target area.
Lying High Bench Barbell Curl
Lying High Bench Barbell Curl is an intermediate-level arm exercise performed with a barbell.
View exerciseSeated Close-Grip Concentration Barbell Curl
Seated Close-Grip Concentration Barbell Curl is an intermediate-level arm exercise performed with a barbell.
View exerciseBarbell Curl
Barbell Curl is a beginner-friendly arm exercise performed with a barbell.
View exerciseBarbell Curls Lying Against An Incline
Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline is a beginner-friendly arm exercise performed with a barbell.
View exerciseRelated tools
Related calculators for this exercise.
Use these calculators when you want to connect the exercise itself to calories, protein, strength targets, or training volume.
FAQ
Common questions about Drag Curl.
What muscles does Drag Curl work?
Drag Curl primarily trains the arms.
Is Drag Curl beginner-friendly?
It is listed as intermediate.
What equipment do I need for Drag Curl?
This variation uses a barbell.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
Once the movement is in your plan, use Logbook to record sets, reps, load, and progress without guessing what happened last week.