Brachioradialis
The brachioradialis is a superficial forearm muscle supplied by the radial nerve. It crosses the elbow, flexes it and can help return the forearm toward neutral rotation.
Definition
The brachioradialis is a superficial muscle on the anterolateral forearm. It originates from the lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus and inserts near the radial styloid. It crosses the elbow but not the wrist and is supplied by the radial nerve, predominantly from C5 and C6. Its main action is elbow flexion; depending on forearm position, it can also assist movement toward neutral rotation.
NCBI Bookshelf · Brachioradialis anatomy
HYROX® context
Sled Pull and rowing can include elbow flexion, while Farmers Carry requires holding the implements. The current HYROX® rules define those tasks but do not show that the brachioradialis has the highest activation, remains under constant tension, determines grip endurance or limits performance. Because it does not cross the wrist or fingers, it is not itself a finger-grip muscle, although it may work alongside forearm and upper-arm muscles during a task.
HYROX® Singles Rulebook 2026/27 · NCBI Bookshelf · Brachioradialis anatomy
Training and symptoms
Resisted elbow-flexion exercises can train the brachioradialis. In a study of 15 healthy young men performing maximal isokinetic elbow flexion, it was active with the forearm neutral, pronated and supinated; activity was slightly higher in supination. That limited experiment does not establish hammer curls as uniquely best, universal sets and repetitions, thick-grip superiority or a specific 15–20-second rope protocol for HYROX® transfer. Forearm burning is nonspecific and cannot identify one muscle or an injury by itself.
Franchi et al. · Brachioradialis EMG in elbow flexion · NCBI Bookshelf · Brachioradialis anatomy
Related terms
The brachioradialis contributes to elbow flexion with the brachialis and biceps. Finger grip is produced by other muscles, including the forearm flexors.
NCBI Bookshelf · Brachioradialis anatomy
Track your pull station splits in Repz to monitor improvement.
FAQ
Do I need to train the brachioradialis separately for HYROX®?
Not necessarily. It already works during resisted elbow flexion. Whether extra work is useful depends on the rest of the programme, goals, tolerance and any identified limitation.
NCBI Bookshelf · Brachioradialis anatomy · Franchi et al. · Brachioradialis EMG in elbow flexion
Why do my forearms burn during Sled Pull?
Burning during hard work can involve several active tissues and local fatigue; it does not identify the brachioradialis as the cause. Persistent pain, weakness, numbness or tingling deserves qualified assessment.
NCBI Bookshelf · Brachioradialis anatomy · Franchi et al. · Brachioradialis EMG in elbow flexion
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