Cable Seated Overhead Curl
Learn how to do the Cable Seated Overhead Curl with proper form and technique. This cable exercise primarily targets your Biceps, with secondary emphasis on Forearms, Shoulders.
How to Do the Cable Seated Overhead Curl
Follow these steps to perform the Cable Seated Overhead Curl with correct form:
- 1Sit on a bench facing the cable machine with your feet flat on the ground.
- 2Grasp the cable attachment with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and your hands shoulder-width apart.
- 3Keep your upper arms stationary and your elbows close to your sides.
- 4Exhale and curl the cable attachment towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
- 5Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your biceps.
- 6Inhale and slowly lower the cable attachment back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
- 7Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Cable Seated Overhead Curl Muscles Worked
Primary
Secondary
Exercise Details
- Equipment
- cable
- Body Part
- upper arms
- Category
- Extended
Recovery & Training Frequency
- Recommended Recovery Time
- 1–2 days
- Weekly Frequency
- 2–4 sessions per week
- Why
- Small muscles like the biceps, triceps, and calves have a limited cross-sectional area and are already engaged during compound pulling and pressing. They typically recover in 24–48 h, making 2–4 direct sessions per week feasible (Israetel, 'Scientific Principles of Strength Training').
Sets & Reps by Goal
Strength
- Sets
- 3–4
- Reps
- 5–8
- Rest
- 90–120 s
Isolation movements can be trained with moderate loads for strength, though peak strength expression is secondary to compound lifts.
Hypertrophy
- Sets
- 3–5
- Reps
- 10–20
- Rest
- 45–90 s
Isolation exercises shine in the 10–20 rep range with a 2-second eccentric. Taking the final set close to failure drives maximum hypertrophic stimulus.
Endurance
- Sets
- 2–4
- Reps
- 20–30
- Rest
- 20–45 s
Light-load, high-rep isolation work is useful for rehab, joint health, and pump-focused training.
Which Workout Splits Include Cable Seated Overhead Curl?
Based on the muscles this exercise targets, it fits naturally into these training splits and day types:
Push / Pull / Legs
Pull Day
Upper / Lower
Upper Day
Full Body
Any session
Bro Split
Arms Day
Not sure which split is right for you? Cora builds personalised training plans that match your schedule and goals. Learn more about progressive overload.
Related Exercises
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles does the Cable Seated Overhead Curl work?
The Cable Seated Overhead Curl primarily targets your Biceps. Secondary muscles worked include Forearms, Shoulders. This makes it an effective exercise for developing your upper arms.
What equipment do I need for the Cable Seated Overhead Curl?
The Cable Seated Overhead Curl requires cable. Make sure your equipment is properly set up and you have enough space to perform the movement with full range of motion.
How do I perform the Cable Seated Overhead Curl with proper form?
Start by Sit on a bench facing the cable machine with your feet flat on the ground. Grasp the cable attachment with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and your hands shoulder-width apart. Keep your upper arms stationary and your elbows close to your sides. Focus on controlled movement throughout the entire range of motion. See the full step-by-step instructions above for complete form guidance.
How often should I do the Cable Seated Overhead Curl?
For most people, allow 1–2 days between sessions targeting the same muscle group. That translates to 2–4 sessions per week. Small muscles like the biceps, triceps, and calves have a limited cross-sectional area and are already engaged during compound pulling and pressing. They typically recover in 24–48 h, making 2–4 direct sessions per week feasible (Israetel, 'Scientific Principles of Strength Training').
What are the best sets and reps for the Cable Seated Overhead Curl?
It depends on your goal. For strength: 3–4 sets of 5–8 with 90–120 s rest. For hypertrophy (muscle growth): 3–5 sets of 10–20 with 45–90 s rest. For endurance: 2–4 sets of 20–30 with 20–45 s rest.
Which workout splits is the Cable Seated Overhead Curl best for?
The Cable Seated Overhead Curl fits well into the following training splits: Push / Pull / Legs (Pull Day), Upper / Lower (Upper Day), Full Body (Any session), Bro Split (Arms Day). It is classified as a pull, upper movement.
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