Best EZ Curl Bars Reviewed - Top 6 Options For Olympic Worthy Biceps
When building up your biceps, you might find that the simple bicep curl doesn’t have the same effect it once did, despite upping your weights.
Or...
Your wrists might ache from the awkward angle of a standard barbell.
To work on my upper body strength, I use dumbbells at my maximum capacity, but progress can be slow.
So then...
If you are serious about building toned and strong biceps, you should consider an EZ curl bar like our top favorite here, which is the Rogue Curl Bar, of course.
Curl bars are designed to isolate your bicep and get you the results you want. You can even use them for a range of exercises like skull crushers to target your triceps and other parts of your arms.
Let’s take a look at the best EZ curl bars on the market.
Product | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|
1. Rogue Curl Bar |
Editor's Choice
|
Durability & Comfort
|
Check Price |
2. XMark Olympic |
Best for Heavy Weights
|
Change Weights Fast
|
Check Price |
3. Body Solid |
Most Durable
|
Angled Dual Grips
|
Check Price |
4. CAP Barbell Standard |
Great For Beginners
|
Check Price | |
5. Marcy Olympic |
Very Adjustable
|
Check Price | |
6. Champion Barbell |
Good But Not An Olympic Bar
|
Check Price |
Top 6 Best EZ Curl Bars Reviewed
1. The Rogue Curl Bar
Our Verdict: Best Overall
Although you'd notice that Rogue offers a more expensive option, it definitely gives you durability and comfort in exchange for your extra investment.
The Rogue EZ curl bars are compatible with most Olympic plates and is the best curl bar for versatility; that's one reason why this is our top favorite, over all other curl bars.
The comfortable knurling protects your hands from rubbing whilst the bends in the shaft limit stress on the wrists and reduce your risk of injury. This curl bar is 54.50 inches long and weighs 30 lbs.
This EZ curl bar is heavier than other options but the nice round number makes it easy to work out how much weight you want to add and lift overall.
However, the heavy weight might make using this bar a bit more difficult for beginners than some of the lighter bars.
On the other hand, the Rogue Curl Bar is very popular because of its options for a wide and narrow grip. With the narrow grip you can perform triceps extensions and close grip curls which allow you to target the long outer head of the bicep.
With the versatility to perform different exercises, this bar can become an integral part of your upper body workout and allow you to build overall strength in the arms.
The 1.96” diameter sleeves are easy to attach weights to and the plates stay secured throughout your workout with a simple snap ring.
The sleeve coating is a bright and attractive zinc, while the shaft has black E-coating which is adhesion and corrosion resistant, so you won’t be getting any of those annoying chips which make your equipment look weak and unsafe.
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2. XMark Olympic EZ Curl Bar
Our Verdict: Best for Heavy Weights
The best Olympic EZ curl bar for heavy weights is the XMark Olympic. It is designed for comfort with a moulded grip which you can adjust to increase or decrease the intensity of your curls.
This Olympic curl bar is 28 inches long and 22 lbs in weight. It is slightly heavier than other options in this review, which makes it a bit harder to move around, but can also be beneficial if you want to start at a lower level as these curl bars can be a weight in itself.
A downside is that this EZ curl bar is quite short and, if you are a taller user, you might need more distance between the grips to maximize the tension on your biceps.
If you use heavy weights, this is a great choice as the maximum capacity is 400 lbs. You can purchase these EZ curl bars with a number of sets which have different weight plates ranging from 45 lb sets to 115 lb sets.
The weights are TEXAS STAR rubber coated Olympic plates. With this rubber coating, the weights won’t damage your floor if you are using the bar at home and they are also safer than metal as the coating provides some cushioning in case the plates should fall.
The durable chrome finish and black manganese phosphate coating make this bar extremely durable and abrasion and corrosion resistant so it is sure to last you a long time. Also, the internal bushings in the sleeves make changing the weights fast and efficient and ensure that your curls are smooth and safe.
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3. Body-Solid 47-Inch Olympic Standard EZ Curl Bar
Our Verdict: Most Durable
This Body-Solid 47-Inch EZ Curl Bar is designed for durability and also has a heavy weight capacity of 300 lbs. The rotating sleeves are designed for easy placement of the weights; however, you will have to buy collars separately.
The angled dual grips reduce stress on the elbows and wrists and allow you to target your inner and outer biceps by adjusting the grip. This adjustable grip is ideal for building overall arm strength instead of just growing your biceps.
Working on every part of your upper arm will increase your overall strength and allow you to lift more so remember to balance out your upper arm workout instead of just focusing on bicep curls.
Also, the material is very durable making this the best EZ curl bar for durability. If you are planning to use this EZ curl bar in a range of workouts and with heavy weights, this is a great option as it can take on extra usage without wear and tear.
Weighing just 18lbs, it is easy to transport and store and can be used as a lightweight in itself for beginners. The bar comes in both chrome and black to suit your home, gym and style.
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4. CAP Barbell Standard 47-inch EZ Curl Bar
Our Verdict: Best for Beginners
The popular CAP Barbell Standard 47-inch EZ Curl Bar is the best for beginners and at a great price. If you are shopping on a budget and need an EZ curl bar that is still high quality, CAP Barbell is a great pick.
The solid chromed steel bar is durable and comfortable to hold. Threaded chrome ends attach to the included collars. The included collars are ideal for beginners as you will probably need a complete set of equipment if you have never bought an EZ curl bar before.
These collars make it easy to clip in different weights and they accommodate 1-inch Olympic plates. The Olympic style ends are designed specifically to work with these kinds of weights, so they are easy to remove and fix.
With a maximum weight of 200 lbs, this EZ curl bar has a lower capacity than some other bars in this review, but if you are at beginner level, you are probably not looking for a bar with a very high weight capacity.
The weight of the bar itself is also just 13 lbs making it easy to move around and a lower weight to start out with in itself, which is why it is the best EZ curl bar for beginners.
Also, the knurling on both angles allows for a range of exercises and the less pronounced curves reduce wrist strain as well as focusing the intensity on your biceps.
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5. Marcy Solid Steel Olympic Weight Bar
Our Verdict: Most Adjustable
The Marcy Olympic Weight Bar is the best bar for adjustability because of the easy to use revolving sleeves. However, despite being advertised as great for both beginners and professionals, this Olympic bar only has a capacity of 100 lbs.
With this low weight capacity, you will still be able to use 2-inch Olympic plates up to 100lbs, but if you are looking to perform some serious weight lifting, you might want something with a higher weight capacity.
Having said that, this is still a popular Olympic bar because of the high-quality material. It is sturdy, reliable and durable and has a chrome plated finish which is non-toxic and corrosion resistant.
This smooth finish is also easy to clean. What’s more, the grip is comfortable and non-slip, making your workouts both secure and safe.
The bar weighs just 17lbs and is easy to move and store. Designed to develop biceps, triceps and forearms, this bar is a great all-round strength builder, thanks to the even knurling which targets the mid portion of the biceps when curling. It also comes with 2 weight plate collars.
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6. Champion Barbell EZ Curl Bar
Our Verdict: Best Lightweight
Although not an Olympic curl bar, the Champion Barbell EZ Curl bar is still a popular option and another great choice for beginners.
The bar itself is super light at 10.7 lbs, so if you are recovering from injury or want to start out with a super low weight, this bar is really handy and easy to move around.
It is compatible with 1-inch flat plates but the maximum weight capacity is 220 lbs so you cannot use it with a large range of Olympic weights. However, collars are included so you just need to buy the right size weights and you’re ready to go.
The collars are spring clip which are simple and easy to use so you can quickly change your weights.
The bar is 47 inches long which makes it suitable for all users no matter what your height. The chrome plated steel is durable; however, some customers have found that the knurling is not as comfortable to grip as other EZ curl bars.
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EZ Curl Bars 101 & Buying Guide
What is an EZ Curl Bar?
EZ curl bars are like normal barbells except it has bends in the bar to protect the wrists from excessive pressure. And so, the name EZ curl bar. ;)
These curves also isolate your biceps during curls, so you can build more muscle and strength in the upper arms by completing the same exercises you would be doing with a normal bar.
They usually feature knurling on the curved part of the bar which improve your grip and protect your hands.
Here's a video showing the difference between EZ bars and standard barbells:
How to Use an EZ Curl Bar
There are a range of upper arm muscles exercises that can be performed with an EZ curl bar, just like a normal weight bar, thus makes it an opposite objective to power racks that increases the strength and size of your lower body muscles .
For Bicep Gains
With the curve facing upwards, grip the knurling of the EZ curl bar and perform bicep curls in a standing position or on the nearest best weight bench to your advantage, by raising your forearms and the EZ curl bar up to your chest.
Contract your biceps when the bar reaches shoulder level and keeping your elbows close to your torso throughout the movement.
Remember to keep your back straight throughout the exercise to focus the tension on your arms.
For Tricep Gains
You can also perform a range of tricep exercises. For a simple tricep dip, hold the EZ curl bar over your head and lower the forearm and the bar backwards until they reach your shoulders.
My favorite tricep movement is skull crushers:
Lay down on a flat bench and start by holding the bar straight up like you are doing a bench press, then keep your upper arms up at a 90 degree angle and bend your arms at the elbow to bring the bar down towards your head. Just be sure to not actually crush your skull!
Remember to not overload the weight before performing any of these exercises.
What is the Difference Between a Standard and Olympic EZ Curl Bar?
To put it simply, Olympic EZ curl bars are the superior option as they are made from stronger steel and built to hold Olympic plates.
For this reason, the sleeves of an Olympic bar need to be 2 inches to fit Olympic plates. If you already have a set of Olympic plates, it is worth buying a compatible Olympic standard one.
Standard bars can still have a high weight capacity but usually just support 1-inch standard plates.
It might be worth buying a set with the bar and plates to be sure that your weights are the right size for the sleeves.
How Do I Choose the Right EZ Curl Bar for Me?
All the EZ curl bars in this review are of superior quality and popular options amongst customers.
So how do you decide which is the perfect EZ curl bar for you?
Depending on your upper body goals, there are some differences which might make one bar the best option for you:
Best for Heavy Weight
If you are a professional powerlifter or looking to increase your weightlifting capacity drastically, you will need an Olympic standard bar with a high weight capacity.
The best Olympic curl bar in this review for heavy weights is the XMark Olympic EZ Curl Bar, which has a maximum capacity of 400lbs.
Best for Taller Users
For taller users, and anyone who wants to perform a range of different upper body exercises, the Rogue Curl Bar is a longer option at 54.50 inches, making it ideal for you.
The Rogue EZ Curl Bar also has wide and narrow grips with knurling so you can perform a range of bicep curls and tricep dips to target different parts of the muscle.
Best Lightweight and Budget
If you are shopping on a budget and just want a standard bar, or if you are a beginner and looking for a lightweight option, the best pick is the CAP Barbell Standard EZ Curl Bar.
This bar is extremely lightweight at just 13lbs, so if you are just starting to lift weights, you can comfortably use the bar alone as a starter weight.
The CAP Standard EZ Curl Bar is also reasonably priced but not the same quality as an Olympic standard one.
Another great lightweight option is the Champion Barbell EZ Curl Bar at just 10.7lbs, however, this is not an Olympic bar.
If you are just starting out, it might be worth trying one of these lightweight bars first.
Best for Durability
All of the bars in this review are durable and made of high-quality material, but if you are planning to use your bar very regularly or with the added pressure of heavy weights, go for something super durable like the Body-Solid.
The XMark is also a great choice for durability as both of these EZ curl bars are made of high-quality material which is specifically designed to take on a lot of wear and tear, most especially if you want this in your home gym for your personal use.
Durability is also particularly important if you are buying EZ curl bars for a gym instead of home use, where you will have a lot of fitness buffs that are going to benefit from it. In my experience, the EZ curl bar is a very popular choice at the fitness gym and even at your own home gym.
Wrapping Up
The stand out choice in this line up has to be the Rogue Curl Bar.
With its 10.5 inch loadable sleeve length, high weight capacity and add to that the cambered design which helps reduce stress on your joints - isolating the muscles you are working on, you'd surely are gonna be bulking up those arms!
If the Rogue Curl Bar isn’t the perfect pick for you, take a look at some of the other options in this review to discover your own best EZ curl bar.
Last Updated on September 7, 2020