If you are weighing an EZ curl bar vs straight bar for a home gym, the short answer is this: buy the straight Olympic bar first, because it handles squats, deadlifts, presses, rows and curls. Add an EZ curl bar second if arm work is a big part of your training or if straight-bar curls and skull crushers feel awkward on your wrists. The curl bar is a specialty tool; the straight bar is the foundation everything else hangs on.
Below we compare the two bars on grip, weight, load capacity and the lifts each one suits, using the specs on our Tru Grit Fitness listings. If you are still planning the whole room, start with our home gym buying guide.
EZ curl bar vs straight bar: the key differences
Both bars take plates on the ends and both are loaded and lifted the same way. The differences are the grip section and how much weight each is built to carry.
| Feature | EZ curl bar (Tru Grit BRCU1000) | Straight Olympic bar (Tru Grit 45LB BRZB1045) |
|---|---|---|
| Grip section | Zigzag bends that angle your hands | Straight 28mm shaft |
| Listed weight capacity | 150 lb | Capacity not listed; rated at 205,000 psi tensile strength |
| Sleeve | Needle bearings and bronze bushings (sleeve length not listed) | 16.25 in of loadable sleeve, 8 needle bearings |
| Knurling | Mild knurl | Deep knurl with center knurling |
| Best for | Curls, skull crushers, preacher curls, upright rows | Squat, deadlift, bench, overhead press, rows, curls |
| Price at time of writing | $126.99 | $285.00 |
The angled grip
An EZ bar has two shallow bends on each side of center. Instead of holding the bar with palms facing straight up, your hands sit at a slight inward angle, partway between palms up and palms facing each other. Wikipedia’s barbell entry describes this as letting the wrists and forearms take a more neutral, less supinated position. Many lifters find that easier on the wrists and elbows during curls and lying triceps work, though comfort is individual. The same source notes a trade-off: because your palms are not fully turned up, some argue a straight bar gives a fuller biceps contraction on curls. If you are new to lifting or have a history of joint pain, check with your doctor or a qualified trainer before starting a new program.
Bar weight and capacity
Published curl bar weights vary by model, so check the listing for the specific bar. Our Tru Grit curl bar listing gives the 150 lb capacity, 28mm grip and chrome finish but does not currently state the bar’s own weight, so call us at 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST) to confirm it, or weigh it when it arrives. A straight bar is simpler: the Tru Grit men’s bar is labeled 45 lb with a stated tolerance of plus or minus 1 percent. For the full rundown on straight bar weights, see how much an Olympic barbell weighs.
EZ bar vs barbell for curls and other lifts
- Standing biceps curls: Both work. Choose the EZ bar if a straight bar pulls your wrists back uncomfortably; choose the straight bar if you want the fully supinated grip and a wider hand position.
- Preacher curls and seated curls: The EZ bar is the usual pick. Tru Grit lists preacher curls and seated curls as intended uses.
- Skull crushers (lying triceps extensions): The EZ bar’s angled grip is the main reason many people buy one. A straight bar works, but some lifters find the angled handles easier to hold for this movement.
- Upright rows: Also on the curl bar’s listed use list. Keep the weight moderate and stop if the movement bothers your shoulders.
- Bent-over rows, squats, deadlifts, bench and overhead press: Straight bar only. The curl bar’s 150 lb listed capacity is not built for these.
That is the deciding factor: a straight bar covers compound lifts plus curls, while a curl bar covers arm accessories only.
Is an EZ curl bar worth it?
An EZ curl bar is worth it when at least one of these is true:
- You already own a straight bar and train arms at least once a week.
- Straight-bar curls or skull crushers feel uncomfortable at the wrist.
- You want to leave a loaded straight bar in the rack while doing arm work in supersets.
It is probably not worth it yet if you have no straight bar, if your total plate count is small, or if you mostly train with dumbbells, which already let you choose any wrist angle. In that case the money goes further on plates or a bench.
Olympic curl bar setup: plates, collars and a bench
Tru Grit describes the Curl Barbell (BRCU1000) as an Olympic EZ curl bar with needle bearings and bronze bushings, built similarly to its black zinc barbell. Olympic plates have a 2 inch center hole, so the same plates and collars can move between your straight bar and curl bar. Confirm fit with us if you plan to mix brands.
- Plates: Phantom Elite rubber bumper plates are sold in pairs starting at $75, plus 260 lb and 370 lb sets. The listing gives a 450mm diameter. Keep the curl bar’s 150 lb listed capacity in mind when loading it.
- Collars: Clamp collars ($40 a pair) use quick-release tabs for fast weight changes. Spring collars ($33 a pair) are steel and fit common 2 inch bars. Use collars on both bars, especially for skull crushers where a sliding plate is a real problem.
- Bench: Skull crushers and seated curls need one. The Utility Flat Power Bench ($200.99, 880 lb capacity, 41 lb) handles lying work. The Adjustable Weight Power Fitness Bench ($500.99, 12 positions from 0 to 85 degrees) adds incline curls and seated presses. We compare them in flat vs adjustable weight bench.
Which straight bar pairs with a curl bar?
If you are buying the straight bar first, Tru Grit offers several sizes:
- 45LB Black Zinc Barbell (BRZB1045), $285.00: 28mm shaft, center knurling, 16.25 in sleeves. The all-round choice for squats, pulls and presses.
- 20KG Men’s Black Zinc Comp Bar (BRZC1020), $299.99: same 28mm shaft and sleeve length, dual knurl marks, no center knurl.
- 35LB Black Zinc Barbell (BRZB1035), $215.00: 25mm shaft for smaller hands, 70.86 in long, 12.25 in sleeves.
- Training Technique Barbell 15LB (BRBB1015), $129.99: 28mm shaft with a 200 lb listed capacity, made for learning form or light work.
Which to buy first
- Starting a home gym from scratch: Straight bar, plates, collars and a bench. Add the curl bar later.
- Already own a straight bar: The curl bar is a low-cost add-on for arm days.
- Wrist discomfort on straight-bar curls: Try the EZ bar, keep the weight light while you adjust, and talk to a professional if discomfort continues.
- Arms-focused setup: A curl bar plus a flat bench and a few plate pairs covers curls, skull crushers and upright rows.
Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight; smaller orders ship for a flat $200, so combining a bar, plates and a bench can make sense. Questions about fit or specs? Call 866-777-2590, and see our return and refund policy before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Is an EZ curl bar better than a straight bar for curls?
Neither is better for everyone. The EZ bar angles the hands, which many lifters find more comfortable. The straight bar keeps the palms fully turned up, which some prefer for biceps. Many people use both.
How much does an EZ curl bar weigh?
It depends on the model, so check the listing. Our Tru Grit curl bar page does not currently list the bar’s own weight; call 866-777-2590 and we will confirm it before you order.
Can I squat or deadlift with an EZ curl bar?
No. The Tru Grit curl bar has a listed capacity of 150 lb and is designed for curls, skull crushers and upright rows. Use a straight Olympic bar for squats, deadlifts and presses.
Do Olympic plates fit an Olympic curl bar?
Olympic bars and plates use a 2 inch hole, and Tru Grit lists its BRCU1000 as an Olympic EZ curl bar, so the same plates and 2 inch collars should move between bars. Stay within the curl bar’s 150 lb capacity.
