EZ Barbell

[oso0960]

I have recently switched from straight bar to ez bar for curls and skulls. I am wondering what is the difference between the two grips on the EZ bar? I've always preferred the shoulder width one over the narrower.

 

[StoneOfFire]

pronation vs supination

the bicep is more contracted at the top of the curl when the hands are supine

compare the two grip positions with nothing in your hand while looking at your bicep


i am not sure what this means, though

 

[ExtraMile]

The shoulder width grip where your hand is kind of half way between a neutral grip and an underhand grip is usually used for curls, the other closer grip is usually used for close grip bench or tricep extensions, this is because being completely flat like on a straight bar can cause some tension on the wrists but the close grip part of an EZ lets them turn outwards slightly.

Despite this you can swap that around, just go by what you prefer, some people do close grip EZ curls using the closer grip part and some people do tricep extensions on the shoulder width grip part, I have never seen close grip benchpress with the shoulder width part though, i dont think that would work...

 

[ceo]

...just go by what you prefer...

this.

 

[Unit 2005]

straight barbell curls are better than EZ bar curls, the 2 bicep heads are hit harder than on the EZ bar. Only use the ez bar if you have wrist pain using the straight bar. I personally think form is easier to maintain with the straight bar, keeping the elbows pinned against your side is the key on this. Skulls - EZ bar is probably the better option, again wrist pain is reduced and you can vary the grip distance without pain.

 

[oso0960]

thanks for the replies. I have been ritually using the straight bar for curls and tris until my friends and I had a competition of who could curl more (hah stupid idea...but I won ). I strictly curled it, heard a couple clicks, pops, cracks from my wrist...no pain, kept going and found out my max on curls. Next day my right wrist was maybe... sprained? week or so after I started using the EZ bar because it was not painful unlike the straight bar.

I actually prefer the EZ bar over the straight bar not only for the wrists. I can lift more weight and it may benefit my bench more since it is closer to being a neutral grip.

 

[ExtraMile]

Why would neutral grip curling benefit your bench?

 

[Unit 2005]

Curling is not about weight, its ALL about form bro! obviously you want to use a weight you can manage 8-12 if size is your goal, but form is paramount with biceps. No compound lifts for biceps, so its all about form.

 

[oso0960]

Why would neutral grip curling benefit your bench?

I remember reading somewhere that the brachioradialis acted as a stabilizer to the bench press thus curls in the neutral position would benefit the bench. But I guess i was wrong, it is actually the biceps brachii that are the dynamic stabilizers to the bench press which would mean straight bar curls are better

 

[oso0960]

Curling is not about weight, its ALL about form bro! obviously you want to use a weight you can manage 8-12 if size is your goal, but form is paramount with biceps. No compound lifts for biceps, so its all about form.

Well strength has always been my main goal and lifting heavier weights is a better way to gain strength. It's a goal of mine to be able to curl 135lbs . Although you're right I don't want my form going to shit lol and IMO reps anything lower than 3 are dangerous for single joint movements.

 

[Big_BK]

Curling is not about weight, its ALL about form bro! obviously you want to use a weight you can manage 8-12 if size is your goal, but form is paramount with biceps. No compound lifts for biceps, so its all about form.

Deadlifts don't hit bi's?????

 

[ExtraMile]

Deadlifts don't hit bi's?????

Underhand chinups fry your biceps aswell!

 

[Unit 2005]

Yes, there is not one compund lift that hits biceps as the main muscle group. They are a secondary muscle group (at best) on chins (after lats, shoulders) and traps, lower back, hams, glutes, quads and abs are worked harder on deads.

A compund exercise for a muscle group works the target muscle first but requires other, usually smaller muscle groups to assist in the lift. Example - bench press firstly works the chest and secondary muscle groups are shoulders and triceps.

 

[djeclipse]

Yes, there is not one compund lift that hits biceps as the main muscle group. They are a secondary muscle group (at best) on chins (after lats, shoulders) and traps, lower back, hams, glutes, quads and abs are worked harder on deads.

A compund exercise for a muscle group works the target muscle first but requires other, usually smaller muscle groups to assist in the lift. Example - bench press firstly works the chest and secondary muscle groups are shoulders and triceps.

Curls are a waste of time, Isolation work is a waste of time. The inventor of the E-Z curl bar should be shot (well not really but you get the idea).

Heavy deads alone will force the bies to grow. Do a little reading outside of the worthless BB mag for once.

Deads, proper rows and weighted chins, your bies will grow. Isolation is a waste of time, curls are for girls.

 

[ExtraMile]

Yeah weighted underhand chins and pull with your biceps, at the top squeeze the biceps and lats and lower to just short of lockout. Pumps my bi's up like crazy