Written by Kiel DiGiovanni | Co-founder
Fact checked by Kirsten Yovino, CPT Brookbush Institute
FACT CHECKED
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It’s likely you’ve used an EZ curl bar while doing curls, but you probably didn't know how much it weighs. Long story short, the average EZ curl bar weighs 14-30lbs or 6-14kgs. Read on to learn about the history of the EZ curl bar, benefits, and a comparison chart on weight, size, capacity, and price of the 7 most popular EZ curl bars.
WHAT IS AN EZ CURL BAR?
An EZ curl is a piece of weightlifting equipment primarily used to do all types of biceps curls. The difference between a barbell and an EZ curl bar is the way the bar is shaped between the sleeves/collar of the bar. The vast majority of EZ curl bars will have three big bends in the middle, which forms a "W" shape followed by two smaller bends before reaching the collars of the bar. The sleeves on both ends of the bar hold the weight plates. Manufacturers will slightly change the weight, finish, and overall shape so there isn't a standardized EZ curl bar.
WHAT IS AN EZ CURL BAR MADE OF?
EZ curl bars are made of bent solid steel. The center of EZ curl bars usually has a knurled grip to support better friction and grip while holding it. The sleeves on EZ curl bars can vary, but a common construction would be friction welded onto the bar with ball bearings and brushings to allow them to spin. The diameter where you grip the EZ curl bar usually ranges between 25-30mm, and the finishing is meant to protect the bar from corrosion and/or damage. A few common finishings are chrome, zinc, powder coat, and even manganese phosphate.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DYMECK AKA THE EZ CURL BAR
Originally known as the Dymeck curling bar, the EZ curl bar was the brainchild of Lewis G. Dymeck. Dymeck was a lifter from Arizona who created the EZ curl bar to help him lift while keeping proper form. This website, PhysicalCultureStudy, dug up Dymeck's obituary, which sheds some light on this interesting character. He was a consultant for the FBI and had top-secret clearance to work with the Atomic energy commission. His son Dennis recalled his father toiling on the Dymeck curl bar by working metal at their home in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He said that his father ended up settling on a bent bar that was 48 inches long with a 1 1/16 inch diameter. After nickel plating this bent bar, Dymeck would go around selling them.
The Dymeck curl bar was imagined in the late 1940s with the patent filed in 1948, then finally granted in 1950. The patent begins with:
"As 'herefore proposed, the straight barbell device is one that is used for the standard exercises to affect the development of the arms and biceps. In these exercises, the instructions are always the same, and recite that the exercise must be done with the strength of arms alone while keeping the elbows close to the user's sides without swinging the body. However, very few persons can do such exercises correctly, since it is not natural or comfortable to do such exercise with a straight barbell."
There you have it; the EZ curl bar was born with the goal in mind of being able to keep the elbows stationary to the sides of the torso as bicep curls are performed.
Dymeck ended moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, then partnered with Andy Jackson of Jackson Barbell Company. Jackson helped with the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of the product and thus the new name Dymeck/Jackson Curl Bar.
Eventually, the Dymeck/Jackson curl bar ended up being called the Jackson Curl Bar for reasons unknown. Then in 1964, Muscle Mogul Bob Hoffman bought the rights from Jackson then started producing and selling the bar under the name EZ curl bar.
BENEFITS OF USING AN EZ CURL BAR
The EZ curl bar has been around for 70 plus years now, and it's not going anywhere, anytime soon. So, let's look at a few benefits of using an EZ curl bar and why it's likely here to stay.
Better Ergonomics: The angled grip on the EZ curl bar is easier on the wrists when doing certain exercises for some people. Everybody has subtle differences in the joints and bones, but for the most part, people feel more comfortable holding the EZ curl bar because there's less external rotation of the shoulders compared with gripping a straight bar.
More Muscle Activation: It was postulated for many years that using the EZ curl bar led to more gains when doing biceps curls. Now with modern science, we know this to be true. This study looked at muscle activation of the biceps brachii and brachioradialis when doing curls with barbells, dumbbells, and EZ curl bar. The full range of motion was measured via EMG and found that the EZ curl bar was the most effective tool to activate these muscles.
Centered Weight: Most EZ curl bars will be around four feet long, which means the load you are lifting is closer to your body. Having the load closer to the center of gravity makes it a little easier to control when doing exercises like biceps curls. Also, compared with barbells that average seven feet in length, the EZ curl bar is easier to use for some exercises and takes up less space.
Great For Beginners: The EZ curl bar is beneficial for all people when exercising like the biceps curl. However, this is especially true for beginners as the grip position is skewed towards a neutral grip, making it easier for most people to keep the elbows stationary to the sides. Overall, the EZ curl bar feels more natural when doing curls or skull-crushers. This leads to better form with more potential for muscle growth.
Reduced Risk of Injury: Due to the angle of the grips on the EZ curl bar, the wrist, elbow, and shoulder are put in a less compromised position when doing biceps curls. Using a straight bar and heavy weight over a long period could lead to elbow pain.
DIFFERENT GRIPS YOU CAN DO WITH AN EZ CURL BAR
Supinated: Supinated grip is the same as an underhand grip with your palms facing away from you. When using the EZ curl bar, you can place your hands on the narrow grips to do biceps curls which will work your long head (outer) of the biceps. Move your hands outwards towards the last two bends in the bar if you want to hit the biceps' short (inner) head. You should be able to lift heavier weight while doing curls with a wide grip. You can also do other exercises such as bent-over rows and front raises using an underhand grip.
Pronated: Pronated grip, also known as the overhand grip, is when your palms are facing towards you. Using a pronated grip, you can do several exercises with the EZ curl bar, such as reverse curls, skull-crushers, bent-over rows, or even front raises. While using a pronated grip on the EZ curl bar, you also have the option of a narrow or wide grip that changes how the exercise hits the muscles.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH AN EZ BAR WEIGHS?
It's important to know how much the EZ bar you're using weighs so that you know the total weight you're lifting. This is especially important because the exercises geared towards the EZ curl bar are isolation exercises where small incremental jumps in weight can make all the difference in your progress. By following the progressive overload principle, you'll be able to make gains over time while doing biceps curls or skull-crushers. If you don't know how much the bar weighs, you can weigh it on a scale to figure it out or check the brand's website.
HOW MUCH DOES AN EZ BAR WEIGH?
The average weight for an EZ curl bar is between 14-30lbs or 6-14kgs. There's no standardized weight for EZ curl bars, as we mentioned, but here are seven different bars with their cost, weight, dimensions, and load capacity.
|
Brand Name |
Cost |
Weight |
Length |
Grip Diameter |
Capacity |
|
Bells of Steel |
$130 |
22.5lbs / 10.2kgs |
47.2in / 120cm |
28mm |
300lbs / 136kgs |
|
Titan Fitness |
$90 |
14lbs / 6.4kgs |
47.1in / 120cm |
28mm |
200lbs / 91kgs |
|
Rep Fitness |
$150 |
30lbs /13.6kgs |
55in / 140cm |
30mm |
NA |
|
Rogue Fitness |
$245 |
30lbs /13.6kgs |
54.5in/ 139cm |
28.5mm |
110,000PSI |
|
Synergee Fitness |
$120 |
19lbs / 8.6kgs |
47.25in / 120cm |
28mm |
450lbs / 205kgs |
|
FringeSport |
$230 |
30lbs / 13.6kgs |
55in/ 140cm |
28mm |
1000lbs / 455kgs |
|
Eleiko |
$399 |
24lbs / 12kgs |
51.8in / 132cm |
28mm |
1102lbs / 500kgs |
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AN EZ CURL BAR?
There are several factors to consider when buying an EZ curl bar. Below you'll find points to look at when purchasing a bar.
Grip: The main reason for purchasing an EZ curl bar is that the grip puts your hands in a position that's usually easier on the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. Just keep in mind that a knurled grip is important but make sure to read some reviews first because some companies use very rigid knurling, which might be uncomfortable to hold. You should also be aware of the grip angle; some people like a more aggressive angle similar to a super curl bar, while others might want a softer angled grip.
Build: Most EZ curl bars are produced from steel, so there's usually not a huge difference here unless you're an absolute beast and are trying to lift hundreds of pounds. However, an important feature to consider is the sleeves where the weights will be loaded. Look for products with high-quality welding, brushings, and ball bearings so that they will continue to spin properly year after year. You'll most likely have to treat them with some oil every so often to keep them functioning in tip-top shape.
Finish: The finishing on EZ curl bars is to protect from scratches and/or corrosion. The type of finish usually comes down to personal preference and what style you're looking for. For example, some people love the chrome-plated look, while others might like the black powder coat.
Size: Most EZ curl bars will be around 45-55in long, so there's no huge difference in size. The only exception here is the rackable EZ curl bar long enough to sit evenly on a squat rack.
Weight: The weight of EZ curl bars can change from brand to brand. If you’re not that strong to begin with you might want to start with an EZ curl bar that weighs towards the lower end of the spectrum. This could be an EZ curl bar around 14lbs. More experienced lifters might want to start with a heavier EZ curl bar weighing 30lbs or more. Advanced trainees might also think the rackable EZ curl bar will suit their needs better.
Now that you know what to look for when buying one, check out our post that highlights the Best Curl Bars on the market.
The Industrial EZ Curl Bar helps you build an amazing set of biceps without straining your wrists and elbows, with a rust-resistant Cerakote finish...
TYPES OF EZ CURL BARS
Home Gym EZ Curl Bar (Standard): We won't go into much detail here because of the lack of versatility of the standard EZ curl bar. As a general rule of thumb, if a fitness tool like a barbell, EZ curl bar, or trap bar is called "standard," they are only suitable for weight plates with a 1-inch diameter. You might find this type of equipment at a neighborhood yard sale, but you won't find it in any decent gym. You should always be on the lookout for equipment labeled "Olympic," as these types of bars have a 50mm sleeve that will hold the weight plates you'll find in gyms.
Fixed Weight EZ Curl Bar: This type of EZ curl bar has a total set weight labeled on the ends similar to dumbbells. You might find these on a rack in your local gym and will come in a set where you won't be able to adjust each bar's weight.
Olympic EZ Curl Bar: This is the type of EZ curl bar you're using at the gym. It has the same size sleeves as an Olympic barbell (2 inch). You'll be able to load up these bad boys with 1-45lb (20kg) 2 inch weight plates then do curls until your heart desires. Most of these EZ curl bars will have a knurled finish to assist in enhancing your grip.
Rackable EZ Curl: A rackable EZ curl bar is the same as an Olympic EZ curl bar except for the overall length. The added feature of using this piece of equipment with a power rack isn't necessary but can be nice for those lifting heavy weights so that loading/unloading is more user-friendly within a rack.
Super Curl Bar: The main difference between an EZ curl bar and a super curl bar is the angle of the grips. The super curl bar has steeper angles that move your grip closer to a neutral grip. Due to this design feature, some exercises might be more comfortable while enabling you to do more neutral grip movements like the hammer curl.
CAN YOU DEADLIFT WITH EZ CURL BARS?
Yes, you can do deadlifts using an EZ curl bar. Performing deadlifts with an EZ curl bar might even be easier and better for some people. The weight is closer to your body compared with an Olympic barbell, and the angled grips might be more comfortable for some. You can give it a try next time at the gym!
CAN YOU BENCH WITH AN EZ CURL BAR?
You can do bench press with an EZ curl bar, but we wouldn't recommend it because of the angled grips. Bench press is an exercise where you want your elbows to be stacked under your wrists so that when pressing up, your body's anatomical mechanisms are all aligned for the most efficient force production. It could be a great choice if you want to some burn-out sets of close grip bench press after doing skull-crushers.
CAN YOU DO BENT-OVER ROWS WITH AN EZ CURL BAR?
Yes, you can do both overhand and underhand bent-over rows while using an EZ curl bar. We wouldn't substitute barbell bent-over rows, but some swear by the EZ curl bar because the grip position may be more comfortable for people to hold.
FINAL NOTE:
While the EZ curl bar might not be an essential piece of gym equipment, you should know how much it weighs if you use it. You can practically do almost any barbell exercise with an EZ curl bar, but this tool's primary exercise is the biceps curl. Your arms will get a massive pump with this superset using the EZ curl bar and the preacher bench:
Three supersets in total with 90-second rest between sets
- Narrow Grip Preacher Curl 8-12 reps
- Wide Reverse Grip Curl 8-12 reps
Let us know your favorite exercise or routine using an EZ curl bar!
Related: 15 Best EZ Bar Exercises for Upper Body Workout
Kiel DiGiovanni
Author