10 Alternatives to EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl for Biceps
The EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl is done seated with an EZ bar. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Biceps Leg Concentration Curl and the Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
- Primary muscle
- Biceps
- Equipment
- Ez-barbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Isolation
Secondary muscles: Forearms
How to perform EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
- Sit on a preacher bench with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the floor.
- Grasp the ez barbell with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
- Rest your upper arms on the pad, allowing your forearms to hang down.
- Keeping your upper arms stationary, exhale and curl the barbell up towards your shoulders.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher 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.
Best match 1. Biceps Leg Concentration Curl
79% match- Biceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Isolation
Pick this when you want an easier single-arm version that still works the biceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on a bench with your legs spread apart and your feet flat on the ground.
- Hold a dumbbell in one hand and place your elbow on the inside of your thigh, just above the knee.
- With your palm facing up, curl the dumbbell towards your shoulder while keeping your upper arm stationary.
- Squeeze your biceps at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.
- 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 Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
- Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, the same as the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
2. Bodyweight Side Lying Biceps Curl
69% match- Biceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Isolation
Pick this when you want an easier version that works the biceps one side at a time.
How to perform this exercise
- Lie on your side with your legs extended and your head supported by your arm.
- Hold your upper arm against your side and bend your elbow to curl your forearm towards your shoulder.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your forearm back down to the starting position.
- 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 Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
- Primary muscle: biceps, the same as the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Isolation
A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the biceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Kneel down on the ground with your knees hip-width apart.
- Place your hands on the ground in front of you, shoulder-width apart, fingers pointing forward.
- Extend your legs straight behind you, balancing on your toes and hands, forming a straight line from head to heels.
- Bend your elbows and lower your upper body towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and return to the starting position.
- 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 seated
4. Elevator
39% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
A looser match: it works the upper back rather than the biceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Place your hands on your hips or cross them in front of your chest.
- Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your upper body towards the ground.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly raise your upper body back up to the starting position.
- 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, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
5. Inverted Row
39% match- Lats
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
A looser match: it works the lats rather than the biceps.
How to perform this exercise
- Set up a bar at waist height or use a suspension trainer.
- Stand facing the bar or suspension trainer, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Grab the bar or handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lean back, keeping your body straight and your heels on the ground.
- Pull your chest towards the bar or handles, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
- 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 seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
6. Inverted Row Bent Knees
39% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up a bar at waist height and lie underneath it.
- Grab the bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Position your body so that your heels are on the ground and your body is straight.
- Pull your chest up towards the bar by squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- 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: upper back, not biceps
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
7. Elbow Lift - Reverse Push-up
39% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by lying face down on the ground with your legs extended and your hands placed directly under your shoulders.
- Engage your core and press through your palms to lift your upper body off the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
- Pause at the top for a moment, squeezing your upper back muscles.
- Slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- 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: lying on your back, not seated
8. Bench Dip On Floor
38% match- Triceps
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge, fingers pointing forward.
- Slide your butt off the bench, supporting your weight with your hands.
- Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
- Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: triceps, not biceps
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: seated, the same as the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
9. Bodyweight Standing Row
38% match- Lats
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
- Grasp a bar or handles with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
- Keep your back straight and core engaged.
- Pull the bar or handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top of the movement.
- Slowly release and extend your arms back to the starting position.
- 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, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
10. Inverted Row On Bench
38% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up a bench at a height that allows your body to hang freely underneath it.
- Lie face up on the ground with your head towards the bench.
- Reach up and grab the bench with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Position your body so that your heels are on the ground and your arms are fully extended.
- Engage your core and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you pull your chest up towards the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- 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: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl
EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl FAQ
What is the best bodyweight alternative to EZ Barbell Reverse Grip Preacher Curl?
A pronated (overhand) narrow inverted row performed with elbows close to the body replicates the pronation and elbow-flexion emphasis without external load. Cue: set the bar low, keep the body rigid, pull the chest to the bar with forearms vertical at the top to increase brachialis and brachioradialis activation.
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