TETSUBarbell Thruster vs Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press
The Barbell Thruster and the Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press both train the delts as their primary muscle. The Barbell Thruster uses a barbell while the Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press uses an ez bar. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Barbell Thruster | Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | delts | delts |
| Body part | shoulders | shoulders |
| Supporting muscles | quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and core | triceps and chest |
| Equipment | barbell | ez bar |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 4 |
How each one starts
Barbell Thruster — first steps
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell at shoulder height with an overhand grip.
- Lower into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press — first steps
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding the ez barbell with an overhand grip.
- Raise the barbell to shoulder height, keeping your elbows slightly bent and your palms facing forward.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Barbell Thruster lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps. The Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press 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 delts adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Barbell Thruster better than the Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press?
Neither is universally better — both train the delts as the primary mover. The Barbell Thruster lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps, while the Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press 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 Thruster and the Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the delts. 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 Thruster and the Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the delts. Supporting muscles differ slightly — quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and core for the Barbell Thruster versus triceps and chest for the Ez Barbell Anti Gravity Press.
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.