Written by Kiel DiGiovanni | Co-founder
Fact checked by Kirsten Yovino, CPT Brookbush Institute
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You want to build bigger arms in a more effective way that's why you're shopping for a curl bar, right? Well, you're in luck because we searched high and low to bring you the 8 best curl bar options on the market.
A curl bar or EZ curl bar is a great tool to have in your arsenal for a variety of reasons we'll explore in this post. These days there are tons of options on the market so we want to help you find the right EZ curl bar for your needs.
8 Best Curl Bars
- Overall Best: Bells Of Steel Industrial EZ Curl Bar
- Runner Up: Fringe EZ Curl Bar
- Budget Pick: XMark Chisel EZ Curl Bar
- Amazon Pick: Synergee Commercial EZ Curl Olympic Bar
- Fixed Curl Bar Set: Titan EZ Curl Bar Set
- Multi-Grip Bar: Fringe Multi-Grip Bar
- Super Curl Bar: Synergee Super Curl Bar
- T-Grip Bar: American Barbell T-Grip Shorty Bar
- Rackable Curl Bar: Bells of Steel Industrial Rackable EZ Curl Bar
SFS Pick
Bells Of Steel
SFS 2nd Pick
Fringe Sport
SFS Budget Pick
Xmark
1. Overall Best Curl Bar: Bells Of Steel Industrial EZ Curl Bar
Bells Of Steel started as a Canadian fitness company but they've been making waves in the US over the past few years thanks to their very affordable prices and top-quality products. We choose the BoS Industrial EZ Curl Bar as the best EZ curl bar because it's an awesome product from pretty much all angles.
With this EZ bar you get a 28mm shaft with medium knurling that's covered by a black Cerakote finish for durability. The 6.7 inch long sleeves boast a gold titanium plated finish which looks amazing contrasted to the black shaft.
This bar isn't just pretty but it also has a 700 max weight capacity thanks to its 100K tensile strength.
As if things couldn't get better, BoS offers a lifetime warranty, free shipping at a price comparable to lower quality options on Amazon.
Pros
- High Strength: Clocking in at a 100K tensile strength gives this EZ bar enough gusto to hold heavy loads with ease.
- Smooth Looks: The black Cerakote finish and gold titanium sleeves are sure to make your lifting buddies envious.
- Great Price & Warranty: With a lifetime warranty and a price that is affordable to most, they hit it out of the park with this one.
Cons
- Short Sleeves: One minor issue we see is that the loadable sleeve length isn't too exciting at just over 6 inches.
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...
2. Runner Up Best Curl Bar: Fringe EZ Curl Bar
Meet Fringe Sport's EZ Curl Bar which is one of the best curl bars on the market today. This curl bar features a properly angled 28mm black zinc finished shaft that fits comfortably in your hands for all the curls you could muster.
You get a EZ curl bar that weighs 30 lb and has a total length of 55 inches which makes it slightly loner than most curl bars. The bushing sleeves provide smooth spin and feature a 10.5-inch, 2-inch diameter that comes with a chrome finish making this bar last a lifetime.
With the long sleeves, knurled you can stack on the Olympic plates giving you enough opportunity to lift heavy loads whether performing tricep extensions, preacher curls or upright rows.
Fringe Sport provides a lifetime warranty against manufacturer's defects as this high-quality bar offers a maximum weight capacity of 1000 pounds!
Pros
- Sturdy & Lengthy: The longer bar length of 55 inches keeps the weight balanced regardless of the users' size plus the ridiculous weight capacity of 1000 lb is more than enough.
- Sleeves With Chrome Finish: The 10-inch length sleeves are super durable and will stand up to heavy usage.
- Lifetime Warranty: You know that you're getting a solid piece of home gym equipment when the manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty that should put your mind at ease.
Cons
- Pricey: This EZ curl bar might be more expensive than others on the market but you get what you pay for.
Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer's defects combined with a 1000lb weight capacity can handle anything you can throw at it...
3. Best Budget Curl Bar: XMark Chisel EZ Curl Bar
The XMark Chisel EZ Curl Bar is a great bar to use for your upper body training. The solid steel bar showcases 4 needle bearings that provide a quiet, fluid spin while the black manganese phosphate coated shaft ensures a hardness that stands up to potential nicks and scratches.
The XMark bar sports a no-maintenance snap ring system that won't need adjustments over time, simply wipe down the bar regularly with a light coat of 3 in 1 oil.
Eliminate any wrist pain with the ergonomic angled grips that feel great in your hands without biting into your skin as the medium depth knurl and black manganese phosphate coating are a perfect combination.
This is one of the best EZ curl bars for those who are looking for a comfortable grip and a decent weight capacity of 450 pounds without having to shell out tons of money.
Pros
- Excellent Price: With this EZ curl bar you get quality without having to drain your wallet.
- High Weight Capacity: With a weight limit of 450 pounds this bar should satisfy most lifters' needs.
- Needle Bearings: Not all bars at this price will offer the smooth frictionless needle-bearing design that provides a quiet spin.
Cons
- Lack Of Longtime Warranty: XMark offers a 90-day warranty for bending the bar which may have some people hesitate to purchase.
The CHISEL, XMark's top of the line Olympic EZ Curl Bar, with it's 4 Needle Bearings ensures a smoother, quieter spin. The black manganese phosphate coating on the 28mm grip shaft...
4. Best Curl Bar On Amazon: Synergee Commercial EZ Curl Olympic Bar
Synergee's Cerakote EZ Curl Bar is a head-turning piece of gym equipment.
This isn't your standard curl bar, the red Cerakote finished shaft makes this bar standout amongst the crowd while providing a durable protective layer for corrosion resistance.
Unlike standard curl bars this bar will put your wrists in a comfortable position to reduce strain on your elbows and shoulders when working out.
The Cerakote finished bar is 19 pounds unloaded and comes with two sleeves that are 6.25 inches long that will accommodate Olympic weight plates up to a 450 lb weight capacity.
The shaft of this EZ curl bar is 28mm with standard knurling on the grips with a smooth center. If you want a good bar for a reasonable price then consider this an option.
Pros
- Looks Great: The red Cerakote finish on this bar provides a nice aesthetic to your home gym collection.
- Good Weight Limit: With a 450 maximum weight capacity you should be good to go when training almost all your different muscle groups.
- Great Value: For just over $100 there's not much to complain about here.
Cons
- Short Warranty: This bar comes with a 30-day 100% satisfaction guarantee which may be acceptable to some but not others.
This EZ Curl bar is finished with Red Cerakote, 19 lb, 47.25 inches long, 28 MM in diameter, and has 6.25” of loadable sleeve length on either side...
5. Best Curl Bar Set: Titan EZ Curl Bar Set
Titan Fitness' fixed rubber EZ Curl Bar Set is an excellent option for people who don't want to mess around with weight plates.
These EZ curl bars are made from high-quality cold-rolled steel with a hard chrome finish. The weights on each end are covered by rubber to ensure they stay fresh for years to come.
You can buy these EZ curl bars individually or in a set as they're available in sizes from 20 to 110 pounds in 10 pound increments.
Each bar slightly varies in length but all the EZ bars' shafts are 32mm and feature a diamond knurled grip. The thick shaft can help you to build up your grip strength as you workout out.
All of the EZ curl bars come with a white embossed number label which makes it super easy to identify which weight you're working with in case you buy a full set.
At the end of the day if you want an EZ curl bar with a solid grip and don't want the hassles of adding or removing Olympic weight plates then check out the Titan Fitness EZ Curl rubber-fixed options.
Pros
- Durable Long Lasting: With no moving parts on these fixed EZ curl bars you can be rest assured that you won't have to replace them any time soon.
- Multiple Options: You have the option of purchasing a single EZ bar or a full set depending on your needs.
- No Need For Weight Plates: Each bar is already a specific weight which negates the need to purchase weight plates.
Cons
- Warranty: Titan Fitness offers a standard 1 year warranty which could be longer considering these weight should last for many years.
- Not Adjustable: If you are short on space and want to use a variety of different weighted EZ curl bars then these aren't for you.
There is no need for attaching different plates to get your desired weight; this edition has it all! It is made from high-quality cold-rolled steel with a chrome finish and encased with rubber weights...
6. Best Multi-Grip Curl Bar: Fringe Multi-Grip Bar
Fringe Sport makes out list again with their multi-grip bar. Although this might not technically be an EZ curl bar or even a curl bar, it is ideal for a variety of exercises including curls.
Some call this a Swiss barbell or a footballer bar, it's great for upper body exercises such as pressing movements, rows, skullcrushers, and curls.
With this bar, you get multiple grip options that can help you out if you have pain when performing various exercises as you can alter your wrist position. You get both neutral and angled grips with this 82-inch long bar that weighs 46 pounds.
This semi-straight bar is constructed from steel that's finished with a black matte powder coat. If you want to move some serious weight then this would be a great fit for you. The bar has a weight capacity of 1,100 pounds which is matched by the 14-inch long sleeves to hold just about all the weight plates you could possibly manage.
Not everyone will need this nifty multi-grip bar but those that decide on getting one surely won't be disappointed.
Pros
- Multi-Grip: With this one bar you have tons of options are your fingertips whether you want to hit some bench presses, overhead presses, bent-over rows, bicep curls, or triceps extensions, this bar has you covered.
- Heavy Duty: This bar can withstand a max load of 1100 pounds which makes it ideal for strong people.
Cons
- Limited Warranty: This bar comes with a 1-year warranty which could be longer in our opinion.
Our multi-grip barbell has 60 degrees angled handles, along with two neutral handle options. This allows you to add variation to your workout and comfort to your joints...
7. Best Super Curl Bar: Synergee Super Curl Bar
This is the second time Synergee made the list with their version of the Super Curl Bar which closely resembles their regular EZ curl bar. The major difference here is that the super curl bar has more aggressive angled grips.
You have four different options for finishes just like their other bar including Cerakote, black phosphate, chrome and a black phosphate/chrome finish combo.
The shaft on the super curl bar features extreme angles to allow your elbows to remain close to your sides as you workout to reduce tension on the wrists, elbows, and shoulders.
The 6.25 inch long sleeves of this bar provide smooth spinning thanks to the brass bushings. The bar can hold up to 400 pounds which should be good for most users.
All in all this is one of the best EZ curl bars if you want a more comfortable grip.
Pros
- Aggressive Angled Grips: One reason for buying this bar is thanks to the design of the shaft as the angled grips will help alleviate potential pain in your joints.
- Multiple Finish Options: Synergee gives you the choice to select different finishes on the bar to match your needs and budget.
- High Weight Capacity: Offering a 400 lb max weight capacity this should be more than enough for your average lifter.
Cons
- Limited Warranty: Like many products on Amazon the warranties aren't very long to make consumers feel secure.
The curved shaft of the Super Curl Bar provides more extreme angles than the EZ Curl, which helps you isolate your arm muscles better than ever before...
9. Best Rackable Curl Bar: Bells of Steel Rackable EZ Curl Bar
The Bells of Steel Rackable EZ Curl Bar is a beauty and a beast! This rackable curl bar is built to withstand heavy loads and look good while doing it.
Weighing in at just over 33 pounds the rackable curl bar features a black Cerakote finish with titanium plated sleeves. This is an industrial strength curl bar that has a tensile strength of 100K with a max weight capacity of 700 pounds!
Whether you want to use the narrow grip or the wide camber your joints will be thanking you for your purchase. The shaft is 28mm while the sleeves give you 9.5 inches of space to load up more weight than most other EZ bars.
If you want an rackable EZ curl bar that looks great and performs well every time then you should consider this bar. If this one doesn't suit your needs then you can try out the Rep rackable curl bar.
Last but not least, you get a limited lifetime warranty when buying this bar which is as much as you could ask for in the fitness industry these days.
Pros
- Heavy Maximum Loads: With weight limit of 700 lb this bar can practically do it all.
- Perfect To Use With Other Equipment: This is the only curl bar on our list that fits in all standard racks so you can rest on J hooks with ease.
- Great Aesthetics: The black Cerakote with the gold titanium sleeves makes this bar look high-class.
- Ideal Warranty: This comes with a lifetime warranty to give you peace of mind.
Cons
- Loadable Sleeve Length: The total sleeve length is only 10.5" which isn't super long considering this is a rackable bar.
Compared to our regular EZ Curl Bar the Industrial Rackable EZ Curl Bar has much more space between the collars. This allows it to sit perfectly across your j-cups when racked...
8 Best Curl Bars Side By Side Comparison
You'll see that we put a chart together below that showcases how our top picks for curl bars from above measure up next to each other.
|
Product Name |
Price ($-$$$) |
Size (Length) |
Warranty |
Weight Capacity |
Finish (Shaft/sleeves) |
Average Rating |
|
|
$$ |
47.25" |
Lifetime |
700 lb |
Cerakote finish Titanium plated |
5 Reviews ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$$$ |
55" |
1 year |
1000 lb |
Black Zinc Chrome |
12 Reviews ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$ |
48" |
90 day |
450 lb |
Black Manganese Phosphate Chrome |
342 Reviews ☆☆☆☆.8 |
|
|
$$ |
47.25" |
30 day |
450 lb |
Cerakote Chrome (4 options available) |
872 Reviews ☆☆☆☆.8 |
|
|
$$$ |
Vary in length |
1 year |
20-110 lb |
Chrome |
7 Reviews ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
|
$$$ |
82" |
1 year |
1100 lb |
Powder coated steel |
2 Reviews ☆☆☆☆☆ |
|
$$ |
47.2" |
30 day |
400 lb |
Cerakote Chrome (4 options available) |
130 Reviews ☆☆☆☆.7 |
|
|
|
$$ |
74.6" |
Lifetime |
700 lb |
Cerakote finish Titanium plated |
4 Reviews ☆☆☆☆ |
BENEFITS OF CURL BARS:
There's a reason why the EZ curl bar exists and given that moniker, it makes performing curls a breeze. Let's have a brief look at some of the benefits of using an EZ curl bar during your workouts.
1. Comfortable Grip
The humble curl bar provides an ergonomic grip that places your wrists in a less compromised position while also reducing the external rotation of the shoulders when doing an exercise like bicep curls.
2. More Evenly Balanced
Generally speaking, an EZ bar is much shorter than a regular straight bar. Most EZ curl bars will fall in the 45-50 inch length range whereas an Olympic bar is roughly 7 feet long. Having the weight closer to the center of your body with the EZ curl bar makes it easier to control as you perform various exercises from curls to extensions to upright rows.
3. Build Bigger Arms
EZ curl bars can help you to gain muscle more effectively compared with Olympic bars. There have been a number of studies conducted to highlight how the biceps brachii and brachioradialis are activated more with an EZ curl bar compared with dumbbells and straight bars.
4. Good For Beginners
The curl bar assists people of all fitness levels but especially beginners. Due to the natural biomechanics of the body beginner's grip position is biased towards a more neutral grip to help them keep their elbows glued to their sides. Using an EZ curl bar can help beginning lifters learn proper technique faster which could them gain muscle faster.
5. Lower Chance Of Injury
Compared to Olympic bars or straight bars the EZ curl bar drastically reduces the chances of injuring your wrists, elbows, and shoulders due to the angle of the grips. Over a long period of time using a straight bar for biceps curls can lead to elbow or wrist issues.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A CURL BAR:
When purchasing any equipment for your home gym you need to consider different factors that will help guide you in the right direction. Below we cover some of the most important aspects to consider when shopping for the best EZ curl bar.
1. Type
As you can see above there are a few types of curl bars to choose from. You have Olympic EZ curl bars, standard bars, rackable curl bars, and specialty bars.
Let's rehash each type briefly below:
- Fixed Weight EZ Curl Bar: This type of curl bar is likely to be seen in most commercial gyms. With this bar, you have the standard shaped angled shaft with fixed weights on each end. Most of the time the weights are covered in rubber. These curl bars will usually be available for single purchase or in a set and will increase in 5-10 pound increments.
- Olympic EZ Curl Bar: This is a curl bar that has the traditional angled handles with sleeves on both ends where you will add Olympic plates. These bars tend to be around 15-30 pounds and have a length of 45-50 inches.
- Standard Curl Bar: Standard curl bars will have a similar shape as the other curl bars but the big difference is that the collars of the bar will only have a 1-inch diameter whereas Olympic EZ curl bars have a 2-inch diameter. We tend to tell people to avoid this type of bar unless you already have the standard plates in your home gym equipment collection.
- Super Curl Bar: A super curl bar will have more pronounced angles for grips on the shaft of the bar. Using super curl bars some exercises will be more comfortable to complete in the semi-supinated grip.
- Rackable Curl Bar: The rackable EZ curl bar is a longer bar than a regular curl bar so that it can fit on a normal squat rack or power rack.
- Specialty Bars: Although they might not be technically curl bars both T-grip bars and multi-grip Swiss barbells are great for executing pressing movements and similar exercises that you'd use a curl bar with.
2. USAGE
Most likely you're looking for a curl bar to do curls plus some other accessory exercises such as triceps extensions or upright rows. In that case, all the types of curl bars should suffice. However, if you plan to lift heavy you'll want a well-built bar of steel that has a max weight capacity of over 400 pounds.
If you want to work on more pressing movements, opt for something like the multi-grip/ Swiss bar.
Lastly, if you want to use the curl bar in conjunction with a rack then the rackable curl bar is the right choice for you.
3. Build
You'll see a number of materials used in constructing a decent curl bar but ideally, you'll find one that's made of steel with a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds. When looking for a curl bar that's built to last the tensile strength should be high. To give a point of reference the most rugged curl bars will have a tensile strength of 100K plus. If you don't plan on moving hundreds of pounds then this may be overkill but for those who want a bar that will withstand massive loads then consider getting a bar that will hold well over 400 pounds.
Besides the main material used in the construction of the bar, you should look at the following points:
- Angle Of Grips: Curl bars tend to have similarly styled angles that look like a stretched-out "W". The normal angles will fall in the 10-20 degrees range whereas a super curl bar will have much more pronounced angles that can be well over 45 degrees. Try to look for bars that have room to adjust your grip as you see fit.
- Knurling: Knurling on the bar is important to help ensure you have a tight grip throughout your workout. Knurling aggressiveness can range from almost smooth to deep diamond knurling that might give great grip but feel uncomfortable in the hands. We like to find knurling that's in the middle of standard medium strength that gives us a good grip but doesn't tear up our palms. Another point to be aware of is if the curl bar has both narrow and wide grip knurling. bars that offer knurling in both the medium/narrow grip and wide grip are awesome choices for the most variety.
- Finish: Curl bars come with an assortment of finishes to help protect the bar from corrosion or other damage. In order of effectiveness try to avoid anything bare steel as it will rust quickly. Next comes zinc then manganese phosphate followed by E-coat and hard chrome. The ideal finish for durability is Cerakote or Stainless steel curl bar.
- Sleeves: Assuming you're getting an Olympic EZ curl bar which is the most versatile, you should check the length of the sleeves, their finish, and if they use bushings or bearings. You'll want sleeves that spin smoothly to promote fluid movement when exercising.
4. PRICE
Unlike some other fitness equipment, there's not a vast price range when it comes to curl bars. You're looking at around $50 at the low end while the top-end bars might go for $300-400. If you have $150 to spend you should end up with a great bar that will last years of abuse.
5. REVIEWS
Before you part ways with your hard-earned money it's important to see what other verified buyers have to say about their experience with the product. Take some time to search on the brand's website, Amazon, Reddit, YouTube or other forums to see what people are saying about the product you're thinking of buying. However, the best recommendations will come from word of mouth in your circle who has used the product and can provide first-hand feedback.
CURL BAR FAQ:
Which EZ curl bar is best?
In our opinion, the Bells Of Steel Industrial EZ Curl Bar and Fringe EZ Curl Bar are some of the best on the market thanks to the superior build quality. That said, some would choose the Rogue curl bar from the ever-popular Rogue Fitness as the best EZ curl bar.
Is EZ bar better for curls?
The EZ is the best bar for curls as we highlighted above. Using the EZ bar allows you to move through a wide range of motion throughout the curling movement while keeping your wrists in a position that helps you use proper form while engaging the arm muscles more which can lead to more muscle gain.
What Size curl bar should I buy?
We'd tend to recommend an Olympic curl bar to most people due to its versatility, durability, and average price. But if you want a curl bar that you can use with a rack then opt for the longer rackable curl bar.
Are EZ curl bars better than dumbbells?
If we had to choose one over the other we would have to go with dumbbells as they would provide more workout capabilities. However, if you want to work on building bigger arms then the EZ curl bar is the way to go!
Summary
Well, that about wraps it up for the best EZ curl bars. We hope that the time we put into formulating this list helped you in your search to find the perfect bar for your home gym. When all is said and done we think most people would do well with our best overall pick from BoS.
If you happen to purchase any of these bars let us know what you think!
More Best Equipment Roundups:
Kiel DiGiovanni
Author