EZ bar curl alternatives

A straight bar, dumbbells or a low cable provide other standing palm-up curl setups. Each changes the grip or how the hands share the load.

The original uses an underhand grip on angled sections of an EZ bar with the upper arms beside the torso. A straight grip, independent dumbbells or cable resistance changes that setup; start a separate load history.

Anatomical illustration of a standing EZ bar curl shown with straight and bent elbows, with the front upper arms highlighted.
What equipment can you use?

Choose everything you have. Some exercises need two items, such as dumbbells and a flat bench. Choose floor space for options without equipment.

Your replacements

Choose your equipment above to see replacements.

Compare all alternatives

These options need different equipment. Use the finder above to show only the setups you can use.

  • Anatomical illustration of a standing barbell curl in two frames on a white background. Left: a man stands upright holding a straight barbell with plates at both ends, palms forward, arms hanging straight so the bar rests against the front of the thighs. Right: the same man at the top of the rep, elbows bent and tucked beside the ribs, the bar held at upper chest and shoulder height. In both frames the front of each upper arm, from shoulder to elbow, is shaded red; the forearms are left unshaded.

    Similar movement

    Barbell biceps curl

    You need: Barbell and plates

    Why it fits
    Keeps standing two-arm underhand elbow flexion.
    What changes
    A straight bar replaces the angled grip. Use a grip you can control with steady wrists and upper arms; do not assume the EZ-bar load transfers.
    See exercise guide
  • Anatomical illustration of a standing dumbbell biceps curl, shown in two frames side by side. On the left the man stands upright with a dumbbell in each hand at his sides, arms straight, palms turned forward. On the right both elbows are bent and both dumbbells have been curled up to shoulder height with the palms facing up. In both frames the front of each upper arm is shaded red; the forearms and the rest of the body are left in plain grey.

    Similar movement

    Dumbbell biceps curl

    You need: Dumbbells

    Why it fits
    Keeps palm-up elbow flexion while standing.
    What changes
    The linked guide curls both dumbbells together with the upper arms beside the ribs. Independent weights replace one shared bar and its angled hand positions.
    See exercise guide
  • Anatomical illustration of a woman performing a standing cable curl with a curved bar, with the front upper arms highlighted.

    Similar movement

    Cable curl

    You need: Adjustable cable pulley set low + Short cable bar attachment

    Why it fits
    Keeps a standing two-arm underhand curl.
    What changes
    A short cable bar and low pulley replace the free EZ bar. Stand facing the pulley with the upper arms quiet; the stack is not a free-weight conversion.
    See exercise guide
See the original exercise guide

How we choose replacements

These are curated alternatives, chosen for the movement and the job the exercise does in a workout. A shared muscle group is not enough. Read what changes before choosing: support, range of motion, balance and resistance can all differ. If your goal is to improve a specific lift, alternatives do not replace practice of that lift.

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