A curl bar, or EZ bar, is a barbell with angled grips. It is available as a standard or Olympic bar. An Olympic EZ bar is thicker and can hold more weight than a standard EZ bar, but no industry regulations exist that control the maximum weight capacity of a curl bar.
EZ Curl Bar
A curl bar has angled grips, which distinguish it from a regular, straight barbell. The National Strength and Conditioning Association notes that some lifters find curl bars to be more comfortable than straight bars. The angled grips reduce pressure on the wrist joints when you are doing bicep curls. Curl bars vary in length, but most are either 47 or 48 inches long. They are shorter and lighter than a regular barbell. You can purchase a curl bar as either an Olympic or a standard bar.
Standard vs. Olympic
A standard curl bar is about 1-inch thick the entire length of the bar. This includes the sleeves, which are the ends of the bar that hold the weight plates. Standard curl bars hold standard weight plates with 1-inch holes. An Olympic curl bar is a little over 1-inch thick in the center. The sleeves are 2-inches thick. Olympic curl bars hold Olympic weight plates with 2-inch holes in the center.
A standard curl bar typically weighs between 11 and 15 lbs. An Olympic curl bar typically weighs around 20 lbs.
Weight Capacity
Because an Olympic bar is thicker and heavier than a standard bar, it can usually hold more weight. Standard barbells typically hold between 110 and 200 lbs. An Olympic barbell can typically hold over 800 lbs. However, because curl bars are shorter than regular barbells and are used for small muscle exercises such as bicep curls and tricep extensions, manufacturers usually list the maximum weight capacity of a standard or Olympic curl bar at 200 lbs.
Considerations
True Olympic barbells have set standards. They are 7 feet long and weigh 45 lbs. This is because they are molded after the barbells used in Olympic weightlifting competitions. Other bars, including the curl bar, do not have set specifications. The length, thickness and weight capacity vary by manufacturer. Always check the specifications for your bar before loading weight on it. Excessive weight can bend and damage the bar.
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