Barbell Curl – Straight Bar vs Preacher Curl – EZ Bar

Side-by-side comparison of Barbell Curl – Straight Bar and Preacher Curl – EZ Bar. See which exercise suits your training goals, equipment, and fitness level.

Barbell Curl – Straight Bar video preview

Preacher Curl – EZ Bar

Attribute	Barbell Curl – Straight Bar	Preacher Curl – EZ Bar
Primary Muscle	Biceps	Biceps
Secondary Muscles	Forearms	Forearms
Equipment	Short bar	EZ Bar, Preacher
MET Value	4	3.5
Calories (30 min, 70 kg)	≈ 140 cal	≈ 123 cal
Video Quality	4K	4K
Male & Female	Yes	Yes
Multiple Angles	Yes	Yes

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Full Barbell Curl – Straight Bar guide

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Full Preacher Curl – EZ Bar guide

The Verdict

Both exercises effectively target the Biceps. Barbell Curl – Straight Bar (short bar) and Preacher Curl – EZ Bar (ez bar, preacher) are complementary, not competing. Smart coaches program both: use Barbell Curl – Straight Bar for your heavy compound work, and Preacher Curl – EZ Bar for variation and muscle balance. Rotating between them prevents plateaus and builds a more complete physique.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barbell Curl – Straight Bar better than Preacher Curl – EZ Bar?

Neither is universally better. Barbell Curl – Straight Bar (MET 4) and Preacher Curl – EZ Bar (MET 3.5) serve different purposes. Barbell Curl – Straight Bar uses short bar and targets Biceps, while Preacher Curl – EZ Bar uses ez bar, preacher and targets Biceps. Choose based on your goals and available equipment.

Can I replace Barbell Curl – Straight Bar with Preacher Curl – EZ Bar?

Yes, both target the Biceps, making them reasonable substitutes. Consider the equipment requirements (Short bar vs EZ Bar, Preacher) and consult a qualified coach before making changes to your program.

Which burns more calories, Barbell Curl – Straight Bar or Preacher Curl – EZ Bar?

Barbell Curl – Straight Bar burns approximately 140 cal/30 min vs 123 cal/30 min for Preacher Curl – EZ Bar (based on a 70 kg person).

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