EZ curl vs. barbell

[Led Head]

hey all i was wondering, if there is a major difference between the ez curl bar and the barbell arm curls, cause back when i used to use a EZ curl i found my results were better than my current results using a barbell, using the ez curl i also found it worked my forearms alot more than the barbell... so i was curious if there is any research, or what you guys prefer, to if one is better than the other

[hulkinout]

Use what feels better. Some people can't use the straight bar because it bothers their wrist.

[Guido]

'Nuff said.

[bics56]

I agree...BB are hell on my wrists and forearms

[drew]

back when i used to use a EZ curl i found my results were better than my current results using a barbell

^^^^ That is your answer.

[Lumiel]

I've heard that using a straight barbell will work the inner biceps more while an EZ curl will work the outer biceps and forearms more. It's the difference between a regular bicep curl versus a hammer curl. With an EZ curl bar your hands are very close to the position they would be in for a hammer curl.

[hulkinout]

I've heard that using a straight barbell will work the inner biceps more while an EZ curl will work the outer biceps and forearms more. It's the difference between a regular bicep curl versus a hammer curl. With an EZ curl bar your hands are very close to the position they would be in for a hammer curl.

In general, a wider grip, which is easier to do with a regular bar, will work the inner part of the bicep; while a narrower grip, which is easier or rather more naturally done on an EZ-bar works the outer part.

"Wider for inner; narrower for outer" - I think Bob Ciccherello is noted for saying that.

[Led Head]

awesome thanks alot guys, so more or less its an opinion of which you like better...theres nothing scientific proving one over the other? at this point it doesnt matter...i like the ez curl better, so when i get some more cash im going to invest in a ez curl

[ZenMonkey]

I've heard that using a straight barbell will work the inner biceps more while an EZ curl will work the outer biceps and forearms more. It's the difference between a regular bicep curl versus a hammer curl. With an EZ curl bar your hands are very close to the position they would be in for a hammer curl.

This is interesting, no offence to you Lumiel for you heard it, and I have heard this too, but I would assume there should be no difference in widths. I can tell no difference. I woud analogize it to saying -wide grip bench works outter chest and narrow works inner- but that would be incorrect becasue the direction of the fibers, no? Either way, I really think it does not matter.

[smalls]

Inner bicep? Are you guys just messing around, please tell me you are. Brachialis VS Bicep Brachii maybe? Or do you not understand how motor units work.

Do whatever feels better, do you really think it's going to be that big of a deal.

[BigCorey75]

i use ez bar cause the straight one bothers my wrist, like they said use what ever is comfortable

[Doobs]

In general, a wider grip, which is easier to do with a regular bar, will work the inner part of the bicep; while a narrower grip, which is easier or rather more naturally done on an EZ-bar works the outer part.

"Wider for inner; narrower for outer" - I think Bob Ciccherello is noted for saying that.

"You can't change the shape of a muscle.

It will grow, shrink or stay the same. You could do curls with your elbows tucked to your sides and a wide hand position until the cows come home and it won't do jack **** for the inner head of your biceps.

The reason? Because you can't fire the inner head without the outer head. Furthermore, show me one bodybuilder who got visible results with such unorthodox curls. In other words, targeting certain areas of your biceps looks great on paper, but it never pans out in the real world."

http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle....dra?id=1765875

[hulkinout]

The bicep has two heads: outer and inner. Different width grips can affect which head gets emphasized over the other, though neither is negated with either grip.

Steve Holman: "How about biceps? They are more visible from the front than triceps, but beefing up the inner head, closest to your torso, is what provides the most illusion of width from a front view. To pack some mass on that head you should do a wide-grip curling movement. We’ve written that a closer grip—hands inside shoulder width—affects both biceps heads, according to MRI studies, but for width you want to prioritize working the inner head with an exercise like wide-grip preacher curls as your first movement. Use a grip that’s slightly wider than shoulder width with your elbows inside your grip width."

This, coupled with working the lateral head of the tricep on the outside of the arm, can contribute to the appearance of more width from the front.

I'm sure some people will disagree with me on this one, but if you find something that works for you, use it, or at least try it for yourself and draw your own conclusion.

Not every bodybuilding writer agrees with each other, even among the highest regarded. Waterbury makes a persuasive argument, and I do agree with many but not all of his writings, and I'm sure even among the t-nation elite, there would be differing opinions.

Just my opinion...

[smalls]

The bicep has two heads: outer and inner. Different width grips can affect which head gets emphasized over the other, though neither is negated with either grip.

Steve Holman: "How about biceps? They are more visible from the front than triceps, but beefing up the inner head, closest to your torso, is what provides the most illusion of width from a front view. To pack some mass on that head you should do a wide-grip curling movement. We’ve written that a closer grip—hands inside shoulder width—affects both biceps heads, according to MRI studies, but for width you want to prioritize working the inner head with an exercise like wide-grip preacher curls as your first movement. Use a grip that’s slightly wider than shoulder width with your elbows inside your grip width."

This, coupled with working the lateral head of the tricep on the outside of the arm, can contribute to the appearance of more width from the front.

I'm sure some people will disagree with me on this one, but if you find something that works for you, use it, or at least try it for yourself and draw your own conclusion.

Not every bodybuilding writer agrees with each other, even among the highest regarded. Waterbury makes a persuasive argument, and I do agree with many but not all of his writings, and I'm sure even among the t-nation elite, there would be differing opinions.

Just my opinion...

LOL, according to ****in MRI studies!!!! I dont think the person who wrote that understands what an MRI does? Using it as a tool to measure muscle activity would be very subjective and not at all quantitative, which would make the study completely uncredited.

This is a general statement to everyone reading this, not picking anyone out. STOP BELIEVING WHAT IS WRITTEN BY BODYBUILDERS, BY GURU'S BY WHOEVER. Look up the studies that they referance (if they even do that). Or search for studies your self. And you dont even NEED studies. Just understand what's going on and think critically. Have you ever seen anyone change just their inner bicep independantly, their outer? I mean really changed it? Wouldnt people of certain professions have rediculously disproportioned bodies? How much do you change your whole bicep in a month in 6? Do you really think it would even be worth bothering even if it was possible?

At the end of the day your bicep brachii either fires or it doesnt, it doesnt selectively recruit individual parts simply because of your grip. But beleiving that it will isnt really going to matter, just pick one and lift it until you can't then eat.

[Chris686]

New and exciting!