What Is An EZ Bar?

If you’re not familiar with an EZ bar, it is a type of weight-lifting barbell that has a slightly curved shaft.

This bar is specifically designed to make exercises like bicep curls more comfortable to perform by providing angles that allow for an easy grip. That’s why it is also known as an EZ curl bar.

However, the EZ curl bar can be used on many different exercises in addition to bicep curls, including skull crushers, barbell rows, and upright rows.

Benefits of the EZ Curl Bar

The primary benefit of the EZ curl bar is that it results in better ergonomics by placing your wrists in a more natural position. As a result, it can be beneficial for anyone experiencing wrist or forearm pain during curls.

Another advantage is that the EZ bar’s curves enable you to use a narrow or wide grip, as well as an underhand or overhand grip (supination vs pronation).

Finally, the compact size of the EZ bar makes it much easier to store cramped spaces or smaller home gyms compared to larger standard or Olympic bars.

• Better ergonomics for less wrist pain
• Multiple grip options
• Easier to store and move in small spaces

EZ Bar Types

There are multiple types of EZ bars to fit different uses, weight plates, and budgets. Three of the most common types are the 1-inch EZ bar, the Olympic EZ bar, and the Super EZ bar.

1-Inch EZ Bar for Home Gyms

The 1-inch diameter ends of this bar make it compatible only with weight plates that have a 1-inch diameter hole in the center. As a result, it is commonly used in home gyms. 

Typically, 1-inch EZ bars are around 47-48 inches long, lighter, and less expensive than other varieties. However, they are not as sturdy and can only support weights of up to 100-200 lbs (45-90 kg). 

Two types of ends are available for 1-inch EZ bars: threaded or smooth. With the threaded type, a lock collar prevents weight plates from sliding off, but if it’s too loose, the plates may wobble, and if it’s too tight, the weights won’t rotate, which can affect the exercise. 

On the other hand, smooth-ended EZ bars hold weight plates in place with 1-inch spring clip collars. These clips make changing weight easy. However, they may slide off if the bar is tilted up.

How Much Does An EZ Bar Weigh?

Without weight plates, an EZ bar weighs from 5 to 30 lbs (2.3 to 13.6 kg) depending on the brand, type, and size of the bar. Below is a table of several different types to give you an idea of actual EZ bar weights.

Weighing Your EZ Bar

If you are a fitness enthusiast who likes to keep track of every detail, you might be interested in knowing the exact weight of your gym’s EZ bar. The easiest way to find out is by using a scale.

You can use your bathroom scale for your home gym or the commercial gym’s scale for checking your weight. Just make sure you have permission before moving a scale at your gym. 

I used a small analog scale from the locker room in this example. Initially, I verified the calibration by weighing 10, 20, and 30 lb dumbbells. However, you can skip this step if you are only looking for an approximate weight.

Then, I placed the EZ bar on the scale and ensured it was balanced in the center without touching the ground. The images below show that my gym’s Olympic EZ bar weighed 18 lbs.

Alternatively, you could stand on the scale while holding the EZ curl bar. Then, weigh yourself without the bar and subtract your weight form the first measurement to reveal the bar’s weight.

EZ Bar Weight Calculator

Once you know the weight of the bar, you’ll probably want to know how much it weighs after adding plates. With the simple calculator below, you can choose the weight plates you want to add and automatically get the total EZ bar weight.