Ez Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl vs Ez Barbell Seated Curls: Complete Comparison Guide

Ez Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl vs Ez Barbell Seated Curls — you’re about to see which EZ-bar curl better fits your goals. I’ll walk you through how each move loads the biceps, the subtle differences in forearm involvement, the equipment and setup you need, and how to program them into your workouts with rep ranges and progression tips. Read on for specific technique cues, biomechanics that explain when each exercise wins, and clear recommendations so you can pick the right curl for muscle growth, strength, or easy home training.

Similarity Score: 90%

Exercise A

EZ Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl

Target Biceps

Equipment Ez-barbell

Body Part Upper-arms

Difficulty Intermediate

Movement Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Forearms

Exercise B

EZ Barbell Seated Curls

Target Biceps

Equipment Ez-barbell

Body Part Upper-arms

Difficulty Beginner

Movement Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Forearms

Attribute	EZ Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl	EZ Barbell Seated Curls
Target Muscle	Biceps	Biceps
Body Part	Upper-arms	Upper-arms
Equipment	Ez-barbell	Ez-barbell
Difficulty	Intermediate	Beginner
Movement Type	Isolation	Isolation
Secondary Muscles	1	1

Secondary Muscles Activated

EZ Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl

Forearms

EZ Barbell Seated Curls

Forearms

Visual Comparison

EZ Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl

EZ Barbell Seated Curls

Key Differences

Difficulty levels differ: EZ Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl is intermediate, while EZ Barbell Seated Curls is beginner.
Both exercises target the Biceps using Ez-barbell. The main differences are in their movement patterns and muscle activation angles.

Pros & Cons

EZ Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl

+ Pros

Superior peak contraction and isolation at end‑range
Better for targeting the short head and medial brachialis
Reduces cheating by stabilizing the upper arm
Great for finishing sets and accentuating time under tension

− Cons

Harder to load heavy — limited progression by weight increments
Requires strict technique and upper-arm stabilization
Can cause wrist or medial elbow discomfort with poor grip alignment

EZ Barbell Seated Curls

+ Pros

Easy to learn and teach to beginners
Allows heavier loading and straightforward progression
More even activation through the full concentric–eccentric range
Quick setup and minimal equipment demand

− Cons

Slightly less peak end‑range contraction than single‑arm close-grip
More prone to momentum/cheating without strict tempo
Less isolation of the short head compared with concentration style

When Each Exercise Wins

For muscle hypertrophy: Ez Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl

The close-grip concentration curl produces stronger end‑range tension and isolates the biceps short head, increasing time under peak tension. Use 8–12 reps with 2–3 second eccentrics and 1–2 second holds at the top to maximize mechanical tension.

For strength gains: Ez Barbell Seated Curls

Seated EZ-bar curls allow heavier bilateral loading and steadier progressive overload (add 2.5–5 lb plates). Perform 4–8 rep sets with controlled tempo to build force production at intermediate elbow angles.

For beginners: Ez Barbell Seated Curls

The bilateral pattern is simpler to learn, requires less isolation setup, and tolerates higher absolute loads while teaching proper elbow flexion and wrist alignment. Start with light weight and 10–15 reps to ingrain form.

For home workouts: Ez Barbell Seated Curls

Both need an EZ-bar, but seated curls demand less exacting setup and let you use the same bar for other lifts. If you have limited plates, bilateral loading is more efficient for progression at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do both Ez Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl and Ez Barbell Seated Curls in the same workout?

Yes — pair them intelligently: use Ez Barbell Seated Curls earlier for heavier work (4–8 or 8–12 reps), then finish with concentration close‑grip sets for 8–15 reps to boost end‑range tension and metabolic stress. Keep total weekly volume consistent to avoid overuse.

Which exercise is better for beginners?

Ez Barbell Seated Curls are better for beginners because the movement is intuitive, easier to load progressively, and requires less specific arm stabilization. Start light and focus on slow eccentrics to build tendon resilience.

How do the muscle activation patterns differ?

The concentration close‑grip emphasizes peak activation at terminal flexion by increasing isometric tension of the short head and brachialis, while the seated EZ curl distributes activation more evenly through the range and recruits more forearm stabilizers. That stems from grip width, elbow positioning, and moment arm changes across the ROM.

Can Ez Barbell Seated Curls replace Ez Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curl?

They can replace it for general biceps development, but you lose some peak end‑range isolation. If your goal is specific short‑head hypertrophy or to correct a weak peak contraction, keep the close‑grip concentration curl in rotation.

Expert Verdict

Use Ez Bar Seated Close Grip Concentration Curls when you want maximum isolation and sharper peak contraction — ideal as a finisher for hypertrophy blocks or to bring up lagging short‑head development. Pick 8–12 reps with strict upper-arm bracing and slow eccentrics. Choose Ez Barbell Seated Curls when you need straightforward loading, faster progression, or you’re teaching beginners; load heavier, work 4–8 reps for strength or 8–12 for size, and control the eccentric. Both deserve a place in a balanced program: use the seated EZ curls for base strength and add close‑grip concentration curls for targeted volume and finishers.

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