Alternating Dumbbell Curl vs EZ Bar Curl

Side-by-side comparison of Alternating Dumbbell Curl and EZ Bar Curl. See which exercise suits your training goals, equipment, and fitness level.

EZ Bar Curl

Attribute	Alternating Dumbbell Curl	EZ Bar Curl
Primary Muscle	Biceps	Biceps
Secondary Muscles	Forearms	Forearms
Equipment	No equipment	EZ Bar
MET Value	3.5	3.5
Calories (30 min, 70 kg)	≈ 123 cal	≈ 123 cal
Video Quality	4K	4K
Male & Female	Yes	Yes
Multiple Angles	Yes	Yes

Choose Alternating Dumbbell Curl when...

Full Alternating Dumbbell Curl guide

Choose EZ Bar Curl when...

Full EZ Bar Curl guide

The Verdict

Both exercises effectively target the Biceps. Alternating Dumbbell Curl (no equipment) and EZ Bar Curl (ez bar) are complementary, not competing. Smart coaches program both: use Alternating Dumbbell Curl for your heavy compound work, and EZ Bar Curl for your heavy compound work. Rotating between them prevents plateaus and builds a more complete physique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alternating Dumbbell Curl better than EZ Bar Curl?

Neither is universally better. Alternating Dumbbell Curl (MET 3.5) and EZ Bar Curl (MET 3.5) serve different purposes. Alternating Dumbbell Curl uses no equipment and targets Biceps, while EZ Bar Curl uses ez bar and targets Biceps. Choose based on your goals and available equipment.

Can I replace Alternating Dumbbell Curl with EZ Bar Curl?

Yes, both target the Biceps, making them reasonable substitutes. Consider the equipment requirements (No equipment vs EZ Bar) and consult a qualified coach before making changes to your program.

Which burns more calories, Alternating Dumbbell Curl or EZ Bar Curl?

Both burn approximately 123 cal/30 min (based on a 70 kg person), as they share the same MET value of 3.5.

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