TETSUBarbell Reverse Curl vs Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster)
The Barbell Reverse Curl and the Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) both train the biceps as their primary muscle. The Barbell Reverse Curl uses a barbell while the Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) uses an ez bar. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Barbell Reverse Curl | Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | biceps | biceps |
| Body part | upper arms | upper arms |
| Supporting muscles | forearms | forearms |
| Equipment | barbell | ez bar |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 6 |
How each one starts
Barbell Reverse Curl — first steps
- Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a barbell with an overhand grip, palms facing down.
- Keep your upper arms stationary and exhale as you curl the barbell upward, contracting your biceps.
Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) — first steps
- Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the ez barbell with an underhand grip, palms facing up.
- Place your upper arms against the arm blaster, keeping them stationary throughout the exercise.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Barbell Reverse Curl lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps. The Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) 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 biceps adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Barbell Reverse Curl better than the Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster)?
Neither is universally better — both train the biceps as the primary mover. The Barbell Reverse Curl lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps, while the Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) 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 Reverse Curl and the Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the biceps. 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 Reverse Curl and the Ez-Bar Biceps Curl (With Arm Blaster) work the same muscles?
Yes — the primary muscle is the same (biceps) and both rely on the same supporting muscles: forearms.
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.