TETSUBarbell Pullover vs Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover
The Barbell Pullover and the Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover both train the lats as their primary muscle. The Barbell Pullover uses a barbell while the Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover uses an ez bar. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Barbell Pullover | Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | lats | lats |
| Body part | back | back |
| Supporting muscles | chest and triceps | triceps and chest |
| Equipment | barbell | ez bar |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 6 |
How each one starts
Barbell Pullover — first steps
- Lie flat on a bench with your head at one end and your feet on the floor.
- Hold a barbell with a shoulder-width grip and extend your arms straight above your chest.
Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover — first steps
- Lie flat on a bench with your head at one end and your feet on the floor.
- Hold the EZ barbell with a pronated grip (palms facing away from you) and your hands shoulder-width apart.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Barbell Pullover lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps. The Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover angles your grip to take stress off the wrists and elbows. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the lats adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Barbell Pullover better than the Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover?
Neither is universally better — both train the lats as the primary mover. The Barbell Pullover lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps, while the Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover angles your grip to take stress off the wrists and elbows. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Barbell Pullover and the Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the lats. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Barbell Pullover and the Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the lats. Supporting muscles differ slightly — chest and triceps for the Barbell Pullover versus triceps and chest for the Ez Bar Lying Bent Arms Pullover.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.