E-Z Curl or Straight Bar

[pender7]

I like to start off with the straight then go to the e-z bar. But does one work the bicep better than the other?

[G-1000]

Each will would the bi a little diffrent. Is one better then the other no. They shoudl both be done.

I like to go straight e-z hammer revers

[RA]

I was never able to build big bi's with the ez bar. Had to hit straight.

[ebjack]

The straight bar always made my elbows sore.

[Papi93]

I like to start off with the straight then go to the e-z bar. But does one work the bicep better than the other?

The biggest difference is the positioning of the hands. With the straight bar, your hands are in full supination. This will hit the biceps the hardest but not everyone has the flexibility to use a straight bar. The EZ bar pronates the hand, slightly.

[zodiac666]

yea, straight bar kills my wrists, i have to use the ez-bar

[ebomb6789]

ITs more or less what ever works better for you their is no right or wrong answer

[THE_DOME]

would you consider preacher curl and ez similar. straight bar kills my elbows and wrist bad.

[zodiac666]

you can use an ez-bar or straight bar for preacher curls, although i have never done preachers with a straight bar

[DSM4Life]

Each will would the bi a little diffrent. Is one better then the other no. They shoudl both be done.

I like to go straight e-z hammer revers

100%

[NOREGRETS]

I use both, but like the straight bar better.

[InsaneInTheMembrane]

my bb curls are always straight but my preachers always require EZ-bar, thereby allowing me to use both... and its great.. the semi-supinated stance with the straight hits my inner bis and the semi-pronate with the EZ really tortures my outer bis...follow that with hammers and my arms are COOKED

[Warrior]

EMG Results...

Biceps Brachii (long head)
Biceps Preacher Curls (Olympic Bar); 90
Incline Seated Dumbell Curls (Alternate); 88
Standing Biceps Curl (Olympic Bar/Narrow Grip); 86
Standing Dumbell Curls (Alternate); 84
Concentration Dumbell Curls; 80
Standing Biceps Curls (Olympic Bar/Wide Grip); 63
Standing E-Z Biceps Curls (Wide Grip); 61

But individual muscle mechanics and body structure can very the results...

[zodiac666]

EMG Results...

Biceps Brachii (long head)
Biceps Preacher Curls (Olympic Bar); 90
Incline Seated Dumbell Curls (Alternate); 88
Standing Biceps Curl (Olympic Bar/Narrow Grip); 86
Standing Dumbell Curls (Alternate); 84
Concentration Dumbell Curls; 80
Standing Biceps Curls (Olympic Bar/Wide Grip); 63
Standing E-Z Biceps Curls (Wide Grip); 61

But individual muscle mechanics and body structure can very the results...

nice post. EMG measures the amount of muscle fibers that are being recruited right?

[Warrior]

nice post. EMG measures the amount of muscle fibers that are being recruited right?

From Bompa, "It is comforting to know that over the past several years science has taken many steps towards exercise classification. One such step involves electromyographical research (EMG). With respect to basic muscle physiology, it has long been known that the process which produces contraction in skeletal muscle is initiated by electrical charges traveling across the membrane of the muscle fibers. As well, the changes in electrical potential that accompany muscular contraction spread to the skin and can be measured by an electromyogram. Thus, the essence of EMG research lies in the ability of the researcher to quantify the amount of motor unit activity in the muscle being studied. As a practical application of EMG research, scientists have sought to measure which exercises cause the greatest amount of stimulation within each muscle group. The following is a summary of EMG results for several muscle groups indicating the most effective exercises for increasing muscle strength and size. The results are taken from Dr. Tudor Bompa’s book entitled Serious Strength Training. For each muscle group outlined, there is a list of exercises in ascending order from highest muscle stimulation to lowest(indicated by % iEMG MAX )."

[the hulkster]

The same amount of fibers are being used when you pick up a pencil, as when you are doing curls, but when added stress comes into the picture an EMG can be useful.

[Warrior]

The same amount of fibers are being used when you pick up a pencil, as when you are doing curls, but when added stress comes into the picture an EMG can be useful.

I don't think so dude... but it does get complicated - EMG is just for an overall idea of the effectiveness of different movements on target muscle groups.

As far as fiber recruitment goes... you can pick up a dumbbell and do a single lateral raise and record fiber use. Then pick up a dumbbell a bit heavier than the last and you will get more fiber recruitment as the body tries to make the heavier load feat easier. Then hold that heavier dumbell in a static contraction at the contracted position and you will begin to shake and quiver as your body fights your form to recruit as many muscle fibers as possible.

Muscle fiber recruitment curling a dumbell versus holding a pencil would be quite different since your body would require less recruitment and contractions for the heavier load.

[pender7]

Thanks for all the great info Warrior.

[MoneyAddyct]

Warrior, I'm interested in EMG results for other muscle groups. Did the document you pasted use the EMG for anything other than biceps? If so, where can I find it? Thanks!

[zodiac666]

Warrior, I'm interested in EMG results for other muscle groups. Did the document you pasted use the EMG for anything other than biceps? If so, where can I find it? Thanks!

click on the underlined EMG in his post

[getpumped24]

bad wrist, so i don't have a choice. ez-bar

[MoneyAddyct]

I just read on that link with the EMG results that:

Pectoralis Major
Decline dumbell bench press; 93
Decline bench press (olympic); 89
Push-ups between benches; 88
Flat dumbell bench press; 87
Flat bench press; 85
Flat dumbell flys; 84

Therefore, the decline bench seems to be the most effective for the chest. I've always heard that decline bench wasn't a necessary exercise. Do these results seem to refute that?

[Chad B]

I injure my wrist when using strait bar, broke it years ago. I use easy bar, dumb bells hammers, dumbbell twists…

Wish I could do straits.

Chad

[Sami33]

I'm comfortable with Ez but I need to get used to straight bar too.

[hanibal829]

I just read on that link with the EMG results that:

Pectoralis Major
Decline dumbell bench press; 93
Decline bench press (olympic); 89
Push-ups between benches; 88
Flat dumbell bench press; 87
Flat bench press; 85
Flat dumbell flys; 84

Therefore, the decline bench seems to be the most effective for the chest. I've always heard that decline bench wasn't a necessary exercise. Do these results seem to refute that?

bump for a question that i wanna see answer

[Primalinstinct]

ez curl bar:

close grip = outside head of the bicep

wide grip = inside head of the bicep

straight bar:

seems to work the forearms more, as well.


Please correct me if I'm wrong......

[boostedevo8]

i start with standing or incline seated dumb bells .....then ill move to the straight bar....then ill go to preacher curl....if its a arms only day ill include reverse preacher curl and then standing hammers......if its a back and bi day i just wont add the last 2....but thats the order i do them in .....i feel like this order i have them in gives me a better pump at the end of the day...

[krusher]

straight bar used to bother me a couple of years ago but for some reason now its probably my most effective bi exercise

[SNUKA]

I like to use ez-curl bars when I go extremely heavy its definitely alot easier on my wrists than straight bars, but both should be done I won't do both of those in the same routine cause its basically the same shit so I alternate every couple of weeks.

[boostedevo8]

EZ CURL and straight bar are similar but not the same shit....

straight bar will help with over all length and mass where the ez curl does help with mass but its better known for getting the PEAK