EZ Curl Bar
A curved barbell designed to reduce wrist strain during curling and extension exercises.
The EZ curl bar has a zigzag shape that positions hands at semi-supinated angles, reducing wrist strain during curls and extensions. It is easier on the wrists than a straight barbell for bicep and tricep isolation work. Most gyms have EZ bars ranging from 15-25 pounds unloaded.
What the bends are for
The cambered W-shaped shaft lets you grip at a semi-supinated angle, part way between palms-up and palms-facing. That takes the forearm out of full supination, which is where the elbow and wrist are most stressed in a straight-bar curl. For a lot of lifters the difference between an aggravating curl and a comfortable one is entirely down to that few degrees of rotation.
How to use it
Curls and skull crushers are the obvious homes, and it is also a good bar for upright rows, reverse curls and close-grip presses. Because the semi-supinated grip is slightly weaker for the biceps than full supination, expect marginally lower loads on curls than a straight bar, and do not read that as lost progress. The bar itself is usually lighter than an Olympic bar, commonly around 10kg, which matters when you are logging totals.
Common mistakes
Assuming it weighs 20kg like a standard barbell and overstating your working loads. Using the outer, steepest grip position by default when the inner one is often more comfortable. And treating it as strictly better than a straight bar: full supination produces a stronger biceps contraction, so if straight-bar curls are painless there is no particular reason to give them up.
Examples
- EZ bar curls for biceps
- Skull crushers with EZ bar
- Reduces wrist strain vs straight bar
Related Terms
Exercises using an EZ curl bar
9 exercises in the library use an EZ curl bar.
Reverse Barbell Preacher Curls
Strength · EZ Curl Bar
Spider Curl
Strength · EZ Curl Bar
Bodyweight Flyes
Strength · EZ Curl Bar
Close-Grip EZ-Bar Curl with Band
Strength · EZ Curl Bar
Close-Grip EZ-Bar Press
Strength · EZ Curl Bar
EZ-Bar Curl
Strength · EZ Curl Bar
EZ-Bar Skullcrusher
Strength · EZ Curl Bar
Lying Close-Grip Barbell Triceps Press To Chin
Strength · EZ Curl Bar