Straight Bar vs Curl Bar for Bi's

[littleguns]

If grip width is same on both types of bar....is there any benefits using one over another??

[Montague]

An EZ-bar is very forgiving on the wrists if you have any problems.

EMG studies show greater muscle fiber activation with straight bar curls, but IMO, it's more important to consider one of the golden rules of building muscle: BODYBUILDING IS A VERY INDIVIDUALISTIC ENDEAVOR.
Different people respond differently to various aspects of drugs, nutrition, and training; despite what scientific studies may suggest.

You may ask ten different people what works best for them and get ten different answers - all of which, are true.
If you're curious and serious, it's probably worth experimenting to find out for yourself.

[andreisdaman]

If grip width is same on both types of bar....is there any benefits using one over another??

The straight bar is brutal on my elbows...makes then really sore

[chaos]

The straight bar is brutal on my elbows...makes then really sore

Just getting over my tendonitis with my elbow, 99.9% sure it was from straight bar curls, always got a weird "pressure" in my elbows at about 155-165#.....sure as shit.....pain in my elbow for months afterward. Just starting to use db's and cambered bar again, no pain.

[Parker]

In college I had one one of those sandweight straight bars....and effed up my wrists to the point that I had armwrestled my room mate after I did it, that I couldn't open my dorm door...I switched to a curl bar and it was easier...I am now using a straight bar, because I think it can help me with forearm growth, plus I can use it for forearm exercises.

[Meso_z]

I prefer doing curls with the straight Olympic barbel...

[nasht5]

wide grip works inner biceps head, narrow grip works outter biceps head.

overall, from what i have read & experienced over the last 25yrs of training, straight bar curls are more effective BUT, like training everyother muscle hitting the target from different angles should be the plan.

[local hero]

if your wrists/elbows can take it, straight bb is the ultimate mass builder for arms, almost makes me nauseous when done to the max with propper form

[Yev33]

Straight bar is more effective in my opinion, hits the bi's more direct. I actually have been doing straight bar preacher curls and I love them. Constant tension on the muscle throughout the entire ROM. I have never been a big fan of the cambered bar for curls, tricep extentions different story.

[jpm101]

I guess we are talking Olympic EZ bar rather that a EZ exercise bar that most home gyms have. World of difference between them. Better balance and smoothness (Olympic bar), but as has been mention before, what suits one may not suit anyone else in BB'ing. The EZ bar, in whatever form, is also good for upright rows, a very incorrectly used exercise by quite a few BB'ers.

Which ever bar is used (EZ or straight) , might suggest the three grip BB curl. Two sets of close grip curls (4 to 6 inches apart for the hands). Two sets of middle grip curls. And the last two sets are wide grip curls. All these curls should have the elbows close to the waist as possible. Try not flairing out the elbows at any time.  Also try these with a reverse grip (hands over the bar) for another slant of building bicep mass. Excellent forearm/wrist movement also. Good Luck.

[WillGrant]

DB's one arm at a time supinating..

Would love to be able to do straight bat curls but like others in this thread time/injurys has sort of removed it from execise pool..Have gotten great results doing the single arm DB curl.

[andreisdaman]

I guess we are talking Olympic EZ bar rather that a EZ exercise bar that most home gyms have. World of difference between them. Better balance and smoothness (Olympic bar), but as has been mention before, what suits one may not suit anyone else in BB'ing. The EZ bar, in whatever form, is also good for upright rows, a very incorrectly used exercise by quite a few BB'ers.

Which ever bar is used (EZ or straight) , might suggest the three grip BB curl. Two sets of close grip curls (4 to 6 inches apart for the hands). Two sets of middle grip curls. And the last two sets are wide grip curls. All these curls should have the elbows close to the waist as possible. Try not flairing out the elbows at any time.  Also try these with a reverse grip (hands over the bar) for another slant of building bicep mass. Excellent forearm/wrist movement also. Good Luck.

thanks for the advice!

[wes]

Use the one that feels best and gives you results.

End of thread ! LOL   

[CalvinH]

Both.

[WillRiker]

Just do them both. But go easy with the weights on the straight bar, because they can mess up our body.

Most guys typical use too much weight anyway when training biceps. A little bit of momentum is good, but you guys swinging the weights like there is no tomorrow

[andreisdaman]

Just do them both. But go easy with the weights on the straight bar, because they can mess up our body.

Most guys typical use too much weight anyway when training biceps. A little bit of momentum is good, but you guys swinging the weights like there is no tomorrow

I have been using the olympic bar and I do two sets with a 10 lb plate on each side, then two sets with 15, two sets of 20 and two sets with a 25 lb plate on each side....its an ass-kicker, believe me and I am getting great results finally after years of nothing really happening with my Biceps..they are getting harder...trying to work my way up to one 45 lb plate on each side

[lesaucer]

straight bar curl on the cable machine= best biceps exercise imo.. next is preacher curl and dumbbell curl..also love standing cable curl, the one you flex like if you do a FDB, for last 2 pump sets

[galain]

I was always happy doing ez bar curls because they were kinder to my elbows, but just before leaving my old gym (and country), I started messing around with different grips on the straight bar, and my bi's really responded well. Lighter weight, stricter form but significant improvements.

Now I'm in a rural-ish area in a small gym and the only straight bars they have are the Olympic bars on the bench, decline bench or in the squat rack.

Yes - I am that guy. I don't like it, but I have no other choice.   

[Fitness4Life]

straight bar is better, yet also the roughest on your joints. 

What's best!?  Not doing the same thing everytime!  Change it up

[GettingBig]

i feel the straight bar hits my bi's perfectly ! but i switch between bar,ez bar,hammer curl bar...etc when i feel board or i feel i need thickness here or there.

[claymore]

An EZ-bar is very forgiving on the wrists if you have any problems.

EMG studies show greater muscle fiber activation with straight bar curls, but IMO, it's more important to consider one of the golden rules of building muscle: BODYBUILDING IS A VERY INDIVIDUALISTIC ENDEAVOR.
Different people respond differently to various aspects of drugs, nutrition, and training; despite what scientific studies may suggest.

You may ask ten different people what works best for them and get ten different answers - all of which, are true.
If you're curious and serious, it's probably worth experimenting to find out for yourself.

"An EZ-bar is very forgiving on the wrists if you have any problems."...This