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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:

  1. Incline Bench: Adjust an incline bench to an angle of approximately 45-60 degrees.
  2. Barbell Placement: Position the EZ-curl bar on the floor behind the end of the bench.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Starting Position: Let your arms hang straight down towards the floor, with a slight bend in your elbows.

The Lift:

  1. Curl Upward: Engage your biceps and curl the EZ-curl bar upwards towards your forehead, keeping your upper arms stationary.
  2. Peak Contraction: Squeeze your biceps hard at the top of the movement, briefly holding the contraction.
  3. 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.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell seated curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell standing curl

Biceps
Cable

cable curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl Machine

machine preacher curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl

ez-barbell close grip preacher curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell concentration curl

Biceps
Cable

cable one arm curl

Biceps
Crossover Cable

cable overhead curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell prone incline curl

Biceps
Bench

dumbbell incline biceps curl

Biceps
Cable

cable biceps curl (sz bar)

Biceps
Ez Barbell

ez-barbell standing preacher curl

Biceps
Cable

cable hammer curl(rope)

Biceps
Barbell

barbell wide grip curl

Biceps
Bench

ez-barbell seated curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell reverse curl

Biceps
Barbell

barbell preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell seated alternate biceps curl

Biceps
Bench

ez-barbell spider curl

Biceps
Cable

cable reverse curl

Biceps
Preacher Curl

dumbbell zottman preacher curl

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell reverse grip biceps curl

Biceps
None

lying biceps curl with towel

Biceps
Dumbbell

dumbbell alternate biceps curl

Biceps
Resistance Band

band alternating bicep curl

Biceps
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