EZ Curl Bars are those curiously-shaped wiggly barbells that some bodybuilders like to use for various curling exercises, mostly involving the biceps.
How much does an EZ Bar weigh?
EZ Curl bars come in two variations: the Standard EZ Curl bar and the Olympic EZ Curl bar (which some people call a revolving curl bar). Standard EZ Curl bar weight is 10 pounds – 5 pounds less than a standard straight barbell. Olympic EZ Curl bar weight is generally a bit more (15 to 20 pounds), thanks to the additional length and the bearing assembly and sleeve, but they don’t weigh 35 pounds like a straight Olympic barbell.
Curves in all the right places
Various angles are built into EZ Curl barbells. This makes it “easy” to use different grips.
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Pronated grip
This overhand or reverse grip is useful during reverse curls that target the brachioradialis muscles of the forearms. It’s also useful for the various flavors of wrist curls that work the wrist and forearm flexors.
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Standard grip
This underhand grip is commonly used with a straight barbell, but it’s more comfortable with an EZ Curl bar since the hands remain at a more natural angle. Bodybuilders can handle more weight during bicep curls if they use an EZ Curl bar instead of a barbell.
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Behind the head
Some bodybuilders perform triceps extensions while holding the EZ Curl bar behind their heads. This can be hard on the joints using a straight bar.
A new twist on old exercises
The EZ Curl bar is useful for any exercise that puts excessive pressure on the wrists or elbows. Some popular strength-training exercises that work especially well with an EZ Curl bar are:
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Close-grip bench press
This movement is perfect for emphasizing triceps development; it’s used by trainees who feel that their triceps are the weak spot that’s holding back progress in the bench press. Unfortunately, close-grip presses are very hard on the wrists; they put a lot of lateral shear force on the wrist joints. The EZ Curl bar makes close-grip bench presses easier and safer by keeping the wrists properly aligned. However, most EZ Curl bars are too short to fit the uprights on a standard bench press; trainees need the bar handed off to them.
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Triceps Extensions
This standard triceps-building isolation exercise has several variations: the standing triceps extension performed behind the head, occasionally called a French press, and the lying triceps extension performed on a flat or inclined bench. Both variations put a lot of pressure on the wrists. The EZ Curl bar takes pressure off the wrists and puts it back on the triceps, where it belongs. Also available are dedicated triceps bars, but they don’t confer any advantage that an EZ Bar lacks, and they cost more since there is more welding involved in their manufacture.
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Preacher Curls
This elbow-wrecking isolation exercise targets the biceps while they’re fully stretched. It puts maximum pressure on the biceps tendon at the elbow. Most bodybuilders who use a preacher bench do EZ Bar preacher curls to avoid elbow problems. Some folks call the ez-bar a “preacher bar”, for this very reason.
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Upright Rows
This shoulder and upper back exercise has a well-deserved reputation for being hard on the shoulder joints. But it’s also rough on the wrists. By using an EZ Curl bar during upright rows, trainees can handle more weight.
Is an EZ Curl bar really necessary?
Do you really need an EZ Curl bar? In a word: no.
But for folks who can’t handle as much weight as they’d like because of wrist problems, EZ Curl bars are a useful option to the wrist-wrecking straight barbells.
EZ Curl bars are perfect for advanced lifters who have finished bulking up and want to start incorporating some isolation exercises into their workouts. They’re also used by weak or injured lifters who want to spare their wrists and elbows the pressure of a maximum-intensity workout.
What is a Super EZ Curl Bar?
Some manufacturers sell Super EZ Curl Bars. These are similar to traditional EZ Curl Bars, but they feature more acute curves. With a bar or this type, you can use a parallel grip, useful for hammer curls or triceps extensions.