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Exercise Guide

How to do ez-barbell close grip preacher curl

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The ez-barbell close grip preacher curl is a classic isolation movement for building peaked biceps. By performing the exercise on a preacher bench, you eliminate the possibility of using momentum, ensuring that the biceps do all the work. The close grip on the EZ-bar focuses specifically on the long head of the biceps, providing an intense stretch and contraction for superior arm growth.

Stats

TIER
1
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Preacher Curl, Ez Barbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Biceps

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Preacher Curl Bench: Adjust the seat of a preacher curl machine so your armpits are comfortably resting on the top of the pad.
  2. Barbell Placement: Load the EZ-curl bar with the desired weight and place it in the rack at a height where you can easily reach it from the bench.
  3. Grip: Sit down on the bench, pressing your chest firmly against the pad. Grip the EZ-curl bar with an underhand grip (palms facing up) on the inner grips, bringing your hands closer together.
  4. Starting Position: Extend your arms and rest the underside of your forearms and wrists on the pad.

The Lift:

  1. Curl Upward: Inhale and slowly curl the bar towards your shoulders, keeping your upper arms and elbows stationary against the pad. Focus on using your biceps to lift the weight.
  2. Peak Contraction: Squeeze your biceps at the top of the movement, holding briefly.
  3. Controlled Lowering: Exhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position, resisting the urge to drop or relax at the bottom.

Tips:

  • Elbow Position: Keep your elbows firmly planted against the pad throughout the entire movement.
  • Slow and Controlled: Avoid using momentum. Focus on the contraction of your biceps.
  • Full Range of Motion: Extend your arms fully at the bottom, feeling a good stretch in your biceps.
  • Inner Grip: Utilize the inner grips of the EZ-bar to focus on the short head of the biceps brachii.

Common mistakes: Lifting the elbows off the pad and not extending the arms fully at the bottom of the rep.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell seated curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell standing curl

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Cable

cable curl

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Preacher Curl Machine

machine preacher curl

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Preacher Curl

ez-barbell close grip preacher curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell concentration curl

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Cable

cable one arm curl

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Crossover Cable

cable overhead curl

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Dumbbell

dumbbell prone incline curl

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Bench

dumbbell incline biceps curl

Biceps
Cable

cable biceps curl (sz bar)

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Ez Barbell

ez-barbell standing preacher curl

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Cable

cable hammer curl(rope)

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Barbell

barbell wide grip curl

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Bench

ez-barbell seated curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell reverse curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated alternate biceps curl

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Bench

ez-barbell spider curl

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Cable

cable reverse curl

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Preacher Curl

dumbbell zottman preacher curl

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Dumbbell

dumbbell reverse grip biceps curl

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None

lying biceps curl with towel

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Dumbbell

dumbbell alternate biceps curl

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Resistance Band

band alternating bicep curl

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Barbell

barbell curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell incline hammer curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl

dumbbell preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell bicep curl

Biceps
Resistance Band

band standing hammer curl

Biceps