Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl vs Ez Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl: Complete Comparison Guide

Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl vs Ez Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl — if you want bigger, harder-working upper-arms, these two isolation moves are staples. You’ll get a clear breakdown of which exercise emphasizes the long or short head of the biceps, how each loads the forearms, and the biomechanical reasons behind the differences. I’ll cover setup, technique cues (elbow placement, wrist angle, pad angle), rep ranges (6–12 for strength/hypertrophy, 8–15 for isolation), equipment needs, progression strategies, and when to pick each move for focused progress.

Similarity Score: 100%

Exercise A

EZ Barbell Close-grip Curl

Target Biceps

Equipment Ez-barbell

Body Part Upper-arms

Difficulty Intermediate

Movement Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Forearms

Exercise B

EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl

Target Biceps

Equipment Ez-barbell

Body Part Upper-arms

Difficulty Intermediate

Movement Isolation

Secondary Muscles

Forearms

Attribute	EZ Barbell Close-grip Curl	EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
Target Muscle	Biceps	Biceps
Body Part	Upper-arms	Upper-arms
Equipment	Ez-barbell	Ez-barbell
Difficulty	Intermediate	Intermediate
Movement Type	Isolation	Isolation
Secondary Muscles	1	1

Secondary Muscles Activated

EZ Barbell Close-grip Curl

Forearms

EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl

Forearms

Visual Comparison

EZ Barbell Close-grip Curl

EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl

Key Differences

Both exercises target the Biceps using Ez-barbell. The main differences are in their movement patterns and muscle activation angles.

Pros & Cons

EZ Barbell Close-grip Curl

+ Pros

Greater versatility — can be done standing, seated, or on an incline for varied angles
Lower wrist strain due to EZ-bar camber and semi-supinated grip
Easier to overload for progressive strength and hypertrophy (6–12 rep range)
Good for emphasizing short head biceps through a longer range of motion

− Cons

Can encourage elbow migration or body swing if load is too heavy
Less isolation than preacher variations because shoulders can assist slightly
May under-recruit brachioradialis and brachialis compared with pronated grips

EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl

+ Pros

Strong isolation — preacher pad locks out shoulder contribution and enforces strict form
Pronated grip increases brachialis and forearm (brachioradialis) engagement
Consistent tension at the bottom of the ROM due to pad support
Excellent for high-rep metabolic work and sculpting forearm detail (8–15 reps)

− Cons

Requires preacher bench or pad, limiting accessibility
Greater wrist and distal forearm stress in heavy pronation
Less ability to overload with heavy triples due to fixed position and limited momentum

When Each Exercise Wins

For muscle hypertrophy: Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl

Close-grip curls allow you to use heavier loads and longer ROM, making them better for progressive overload in the 6–12 rep range. You can modulate tempo (2–3s eccentric) and use partials to extend sets for greater muscle tension.

For strength gains: Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl

Standing close-grip curls let you handle more absolute weight and train lower rep ranges safely, increasing mechanical tension on the biceps. The EZ-bar grip reduces wrist stress so you can pursue progressive strength increases.

For beginners: Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl

Beginners pick up close-grip curls faster because the movement pattern is simpler and wrist position is more forgiving. It’s easier to learn elbow stability and tempo before moving to fixed-pad isolation work.

For home workouts: Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl

Close-grip curls need only an EZ bar and plates, so they fit most home gyms. The preacher reverse curl needs a dedicated pad or bench to be truly effective, reducing practicality at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do both Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl and Ez Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl in the same workout?

Yes. Start with the close-grip curl as your heavier compound-isolation variant for 3–4 sets of 6–10 reps, then follow with 2–3 sets of reverse-grip preacher curls for 8–15 reps to target the brachialis and forearms. Keep total volume in line with your weekly plan to avoid elbow fatigue.

Which exercise is better for beginners?

The Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl is better for beginners because it’s easier to learn and less taxing on the wrists. It builds foundational elbow control and strength before introducing the stricter mechanics of the preacher reverse curl.

How do the muscle activation patterns differ?

The close-grip curl emphasizes biceps brachii through a longer ROM with a larger anterior force vector and more supinated hand position, while the reverse-grip preacher curl fixes the humerus and uses pronation to increase brachialis and brachioradialis activation. That shifts peak activation timing and reduces shoulder contribution.

Can Ez Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl replace Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl?

Not entirely. Reverse-grip preacher curls are great for isolation and forearm emphasis, but they limit overload capacity and don’t provide the same long-range biceps tension. Use them as a complement or for targeted weak-point training rather than a wholesale replacement.

Expert Verdict

If your priority is raw mechanical tension, progressive overload, and flexible programming, the Ez Barbell Close-grip Curl is the default pick — it’s more accessible, easier to progress, and cleaner on the wrists. Use sets of 6–12 reps, strict 2–3 second eccentrics, and dial in elbow placement (elbows tucked, fixed) to drive biceps hypertrophy. Choose the Ez Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl when you need strict isolation and want to shift emphasis to the brachialis and forearms (8–15 reps), or when you’re addressing weak points and form. Both have a place: favor the close-grip for strength and mass, add the reverse-preacher to target forearm detail and isolation.

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