10 Best Ez-bar Curl Alternatives for When You Can't Use an EZ-Bar

Ranked Ez-bar Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Ez-bar Curl on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Biceps Leg Concentration Curl

   74% match

   • Biceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want to work the biceps one side at a time.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Sit on a bench with your legs spread apart and your feet flat on the ground.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in one hand and place your elbow on the inside of your thigh, just above the knee.
   3. With your palm facing up, curl the dumbbell towards your shoulder while keeping your upper arm stationary.
   4. Squeeze your biceps at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: seated, not standing
2. Play demonstration

   2. Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl

   74% match

   • Biceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on your side with your legs extended and your head supported by your arm.
   2. Hold your upper arm against your side and bend your elbow to curl your forearm towards your shoulder.
   3. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your forearm back down to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps on each side, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
3. Play demonstration

   3. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip Row

   45% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the lats rather than the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
   2. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
   3. Extend your arms straight in front of you, gripping the bar or handles with a close grip.
   4. Pull the bar or handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly release and return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Ez-bar Curl
4. Play demonstration

   4. Elevator

   45% match

   • Upper Back
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   A looser match: it works the upper back rather than the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
   2. Place your hands on your hips or cross them in front of your chest.
   3. Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your upper body towards the ground.
   4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly raise your upper body back up to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: upper back, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
5. Play demonstration

   5. Bodyweight Standing Row

   43% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
   2. Grasp a bar or handles with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
   3. Keep your back straight and core engaged.
   4. Pull the bar or handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement.
   6. Slowly release and extend your arms back to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Ez-bar Curl
6. Play demonstration

   6. Bodyweight Standing Row (With Towel)

   43% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a towel in front of you with both hands.
   2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
   3. Pull the towel towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly release the tension and return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Ez-bar Curl
7. Play demonstration

   7. Bodyweight Kneeling Triceps Extension

   42% match

   • Triceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the biceps.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Kneel down on the ground with your knees hip-width apart.
   2. Place your hands on the ground in front of you, shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
   3. Extend your legs straight behind you, balancing on your toes and hands, forming a straight line from head to heels.
   4. Bend your elbows and lower your upper body towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
   5. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: triceps, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: kneeling, not standing
8. Play demonstration

   8. Biceps Pull-up

   38% match

   • Biceps
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Hang from a pull-up bar with your palms facing away from you and your hands shoulder-width apart.
   2. Engage your core and pull yourself up by bending your elbows, bringing your chest towards the bar.
   3. Pause at the top of the movement, then slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position.
   4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: hanging, not standing
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Ez-bar Curl
9. Play demonstration

   9. Bodyweight Standing Close-grip One Arm Row

   38% match

   • Lats
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a dumbbell in one hand with a neutral grip.
   2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
   3. Pull the dumbbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.

   Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
   • Body position: standing, the same as the Ez-bar Curl
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Ez-bar Curl
10. Play demonstration

    10. Inverted Row

    37% match

    • Lats
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Set up a bar at waist height or use a suspension trainer.
    2. Stand facing the bar or suspension trainer, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Grab the bar or handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Lean back, keeping your body straight and your heels on the ground.
    5. Pull your chest towards the bar or handles, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: lats, not biceps
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: hanging, not standing