Cable machines are among the most versatile tools in your gym, and pairing them with an EZ bar unlocks a smoother, joint-friendly path to bicep gains. If you’ve been stuck in a barbell curl rut or feeling wrist strain from straight bar curls, learning how to use the EZ bar cable setup will transform your arm days.
Why Choose EZ Bar Cable Curls?
The EZ bar cable curl keeps tension on your biceps throughout the movement, unlike free weights, which lose tension at the top. The angled grip of the EZ bar reduces wrist and forearm strain, allowing you to train harder without discomfort.
Key benefits:
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Constant tension: The cable resists gravity in all positions.
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Joint-friendly: Angled grips protect wrists and elbows.
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Easy variation: You can adjust weight in small increments for progressive overload.
How to Perform EZ Bar Cable Curls Correctly
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Attach an EZ curl bar to a low cable pulley.
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Stand upright, chest up, core engaged, elbows pinned to your sides.
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Curl the bar towards your shoulders, squeezing your biceps.
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Slowly lower with control to maintain tension.
Avoid swinging or letting elbows drift forward; focus on a full contraction and a smooth negative to maximize muscle recruitment.
Cable Close Grip Curl vs. EZ Curl Cable: Is There a Difference?
A cable close grip curl typically uses a straight or EZ bar attachment with your hands positioned closer together to emphasize the long head of the bicep, helping build the peak. The EZ curl cable refers to the same setup but specifically emphasizes using the EZ bar attachment to reduce wrist discomfort while maintaining cable tension.
Using a close grip on the EZ bar cable curl allows you to:
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Place more emphasis on the outer bicep.
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Maintain a strong wrist position for heavier lifts.
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Improve peak contraction without sacrificing form.
Programming Tips for Better Arm Gains
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Frequency: 1-2x per week within your pull or arm-focused sessions.
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Reps and sets: 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps for hypertrophy, or 15+ reps for a pump finisher.
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Tempo: 2-3 seconds up, 3 seconds down, to maximize time under tension.
Combine EZ bar cable curls with dumbbell curls or hammer curls to train both heads of the biceps and improve your arm aesthetics.
A Personal Note on EZ Bar Cable Curls
Years ago, after struggling with wrist pain from heavy straight bar curls, I shifted to EZ bar cable variations to protect my joints while still chasing bigger arms. The constant tension these provide has been a game-changer for my bicep training, giving me the ability to reach true muscular failure safely while feeling a deep, controlled contraction. If you’ve plateaued or feel discomfort during curls, try adding the EZ bar cable curl for a few weeks—you’ll notice a difference in both muscle fullness and your ability to train consistently without pain.
Final Thoughts
Whether you call them cable EZ curls, EZ bar cable curls, or cable close grip curls, incorporating them into your training routine helps build stronger, fuller biceps while being kind to your joints. It’s a simple but powerful addition that can break plateaus and refresh your arm workouts with smoother, more controlled tension—helping you get closer to the physique you’re working hard for.
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