10 EZ Bar Close-Grip Preacher Curl Alternatives for Home & Gym

The EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl is done seated with an EZ bar. Ranked closest by our scoring: EZ Barbell Seated Curls, the Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline and the Barbell Lying Preacher Curl.

EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher CurlWatch the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl

The steps for the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Biceps, with forearms · Ez-barbell · Beginner · Isolation

  1. Sit on a preacher curl bench and place your upper arms on the pad, gripping the ez barbell with an underhand grip.
  2. Rest your triceps on the pad and fully extend your arms, keeping your back straight.
  3. Slowly curl the barbell towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
  4. Pause for a moment at the top, squeezing your biceps.
  5. Lower the barbell back to the starting position, fully extending your arms.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. EZ Barbell Seated CurlsPlay demonstration

    1. EZ Barbell Seated Curls

    99% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the biceps.

    • Ez-barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and your back straight.
    2. Hold the ez barbell with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and your hands shoulder-width apart.
    3. Rest your upper arms on your thighs, allowing the ez barbell to hang down in front of you.
    4. Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the ez barbell upwards towards your shoulders.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, squeezing your biceps.
    6. Inhale and slowly lower the ez barbell back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
  2. Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline

    2. Barbell Curls Lying Against An Incline

    99% match

    Biceps · Intermediate · Isolation

    A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the biceps.

    • Barbell
    How to perform it
    1. Lie against an incline bench, with your arms holding a barbell and hanging down in a horizontal line. This will be your starting position.
    2. While keeping the upper arms stationary, curl the weight up as high as you can while squeezing the biceps. Breathe out as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Only the forearms should move. Do not swing the arms.
    3. After a second contraction, slowly go back to the starting position as you inhale. Tip: Make sure that you go all of the way down.
    4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
  5. Dumbbell Seated Bicep CurlPlay demonstration

    5. Dumbbell Seated Bicep Curl

    99% match

    Biceps · Beginner · Isolation

    A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the biceps.

    • Dumbbell
    How to perform it
    1. Sit on a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing up.
    2. Keep your back straight and your elbows close to your torso.
    3. Exhale and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulders, contracting your biceps.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: curl, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl

EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl FAQ

What muscles does EZ Barbell Close Grip Preacher Curl work?

The movement primarily targets the biceps brachii (both heads), with secondary work from the brachialis and brachioradialis. It emphasizes elbow flexion and supination while the preacher pad limits shoulder extension, increasing isolated biceps loading.

Find Alternatives for Any Exercise

Search the exercise database and filter the ranked substitutes by the equipment you own.