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Muscle guide · Arms

Brachioradialis

Also called top of the forearm muscle

The brachioradialis is the long muscle along the thumb side of the forearm, running from just above the outer elbow to the forearm bone just above the wrist. It forms the outer edge of the elbow crease.

Although it sits with the wrist extensors, it is an elbow flexor, working in every hand position and helping return the forearm to a thumb-up position.

5 exercises2 stretches7 with 3D demos4 sourcesUpdated 17 October 2026

Where the brachioradialis is and what it does

Shaded: the forearms area. It marks the region, not the exact outline of the brachioradialis.
Starts at (origin)
The outer edge of the upper arm bone, just above the elbow.Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus
Attaches to (insertion)
The thumb side of the forearm bone, just above the wrist.Distal lateral radius at the base of the styloid process
What it does
  • Bends the elbow, with the palm up, in or down.Elbow flexion
  • Brings the forearm back to thumb-up from either palm up or palm down.Returns the forearm to mid-position
Nerve supply
Radial nerve (C5 to C7, mostly C5 and C6).

Sources 1, 2

Exercises for the brachioradialis

In a small EMG study its activity rose significantly only with a palm-down (reverse) grip; neutral and palm-up grips did not differ.

Dumbbell reverse curl demonstrated on the 3D figure3D demoDumbbell reverse curlIntermediate · A dumbbellZottman Curl demonstrated on the 3D figure3D demoZottman CurlIntermediate · A dumbbellAlternating hammer curl demonstrated on the 3D figure3D demoAlternating hammer curlIntermediate · A dumbbellCable rope hammer curl demonstrated on the 3D figure3D demoCable rope hammer curlBeginner · A cable machineDumbbell biceps curl demonstrated on the 3D figure3D demoDumbbell biceps curlBeginner · A dumbbell

Stretches for the brachioradialis

Wrist flexor stretch demonstrated on the 3D figure3D demoWrist flexor stretchBeginner · A wallKneeling Forearm Stretch demonstrated on the 3D figure3D demoKneeling Forearm StretchBeginner · Other / check instructions

Problems linked to the brachioradialis

Wartenberg syndrome

A sensory nerve on the back of the forearm can be squeezed between this muscle and a wrist extensor, causing burning or tingling over the back of the hand and thumb, often from tight watch straps, casts or handcuffs.

Source 1

Myths worth dropping

Each grade rates the evidence for the correction.

Hammer curls are the best brachioradialis exerciseEmerging evidence

In the EMG study, only the palm-down reverse curl raised its activity significantly. Hammer curls are fine, but reverse curls are at least as good.

Source 3

Routines that train it

Arm workout

Biceps, triceps and forearms: curls, hammer curls, skull crushers, pushdowns, concentration curls and dips.

35 minBeginner7 movesA dumbbell, A bench or box

Wrist and forearm routine

Wrist mobility and forearm strength for desk work, climbing, push-ups and handstands.

10 minBeginner7 movesA wall, A dumbbell

Questions people ask

What does the brachioradialis do?

It bends the elbow in every hand position and brings the forearm back to a thumb-up position.

What is the best brachioradialis exercise?

The reverse (palm-down) curl raised its activity most in a small EMG study.

Is the brachioradialis a forearm or an arm muscle?

It lies in the forearm but crosses only the elbow, so it bends the elbow rather than moving the wrist.

Muscles it works with

Sources

  1. StatPearls · Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb: Forearm Brachioradialis Muscle (2024)
  2. StatPearls · Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb: Wrist Extensor Muscles (2026)
  3. Kleiber 2015 · Biceps and brachioradialis activity with different hand positions (Front Physiol)
  4. StatPearls · Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb: Forearm Compartments (2023)

Anatomy and movement education, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you have pain that follows an injury, is severe or getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or swelling, get it assessed. Health disclaimer.