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Exercise Guide
How to do ez-barbell spider curl
Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.
The EZ-barbell spider curl is an intense bicep isolation exercise performed on the vertical side of a preacher bench. By leaning forward and letting the arms hang straight down, you place the biceps in a position where they must work hard throughout the entire range. This movement is fantastic for developing the bicep peak and ensuring complete muscle fiber recruitment.
Stats
TIER
2
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Bench, Ez Barbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Biceps
Instructions for Proper Form
Setup:
- Incline Bench: Adjust an incline bench to an angle of approximately 45-60 degrees.
- Barbell Placement: Position the EZ-curl bar on the floor behind the end of the bench.
- Prone Position: Lie face down on the bench, with your chest on the incline and your legs extended behind you, keeping your feet flat on the floor.
- Grip: Reach down and grasp the EZ-curl bar with an underhand grip (palms facing up). Use either the inner or outer grips based on your preference.
- Starting Position: Let your arms hang straight down towards the floor, with a slight bend in your elbows.
The Lift:
- Curl Upward: Engage your biceps and curl the EZ-curl bar upwards towards your forehead, keeping your upper arms stationary.
- Peak Contraction: Squeeze your biceps hard at the top of the movement, briefly holding the contraction.
- Controlled Lowering: Slowly lower the EZ-curl bar back to the starting position, resisting the urge to drop or relax at the bottom.
Tips:
- Elbow Position: Keep your elbows tucked in and pointed slightly backwards throughout the entire movement.
- Focus on the Biceps: Concentrate on the feeling of your biceps contracting and shortening as you curl the bar upwards.
- Range of Motion: Curl the bar up as far as possible without your upper arms lifting off the bench.
- Grip Variation: You can experiment with different grip widths on the EZ-curl bar to find what feels most comfortable and effective for you.
Common mistakes: Swinging the arms to create momentum, lifting the torso off the bench, and not achieving a full range of motion.
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