TETSUCable Drag Curl vs Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl
The Cable Drag Curl and the Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl both train the biceps as their primary muscle. The Cable Drag Curl uses a cable while the Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl uses an ez bar. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Cable Drag Curl | Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | biceps | biceps |
| Body part | upper arms | upper arms |
| Supporting muscles | forearms | forearms |
| Equipment | cable | ez bar |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 5 |
How each one starts
Cable Drag Curl — first steps
- Stand facing a cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Grasp the cable attachment with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and arms fully extended.
Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl — first steps
- Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the ez barbell with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your elbows close to your torso and your upper arms stationary throughout the movement.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Cable Drag Curl keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. The Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl 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 Cable Drag Curl better than the Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl?
Neither is universally better — both train the biceps as the primary mover. The Cable Drag Curl keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion, while the Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl 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 Cable Drag Curl and the Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl 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 Cable Drag Curl and the Ez Barbell Close-Grip Curl 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.